Cook County of Illinois State & Local Fiscal Recovery Funds
Toni Preckwinkle
Cook County Board President
2024
RECOVERY PLAN REPORT
17
Performance Report
18
Project Inventory
19
Healthy Communities
46
Vital Communities
90
Safe & Thriving Communities
107
Sustainable Communities
118
Connected Communities
129
Open Communities
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2
Executive Summary
5
Uses of Funds
Funding Framework (5)
Identication and Approval of Projects (5)
Project Management Ofce (PMO) (6)
Board Resolutions (7)
Strategy and Goals by Treasury Expenditure Category (8)
Other Federal Recovery Funds (11)
14
Promoting Equitable Outcomes
15
Community Engagement
16
Labor Practices
16
Use of Evidence
GENERAL OVERVIEW
Cook County of Illinois
State & Local Fiscal Recovery Funds
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
2
Executive Summary
Cook County’s plan for use of its American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) State & Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) to
promote a response to the pandemic and economic recovery is grounded in its core values of equity, engagement, and
excellence. Cook County continues to use an equity lens to guide its SLFRF allocations to promote racial equity and
sustainable impacts across the county. To that end, Cook County launched a robust community engagement process
to hear directly from residents about how funding should be allocated. A central theme is the commitment to ensuring
Cook County is a welcoming community and reaches all residents, including those who are often marginalized.
Cook County’s plan for its ARPA funds responds to the recommendations and requirements outlined by the Treasury in
the Final Rule and incorporates the following six policy pillars as detailed in Cook County’s Policy Roadmap:
• Health and Wellness • Climate Resiliency
• Economic Development • Infrastructure and Technology
• Safety and Justice • Good Government
On July 4, 2021, Cook County launched its public-facing website and interactive survey for the community to provide
input on their needs and how ARPA funding should be prioritized. The County reviewed feedback provided by the
community to determine key themes on how the funds should be used, which were later published in the ARPA
Community Engagement Report in December 2021.
Pairing community engagement efforts with feedback from Cook County employees, partners and other stakeholders,
and initiatives within the six policy pillars has been essential. The rst ve policy pillars relate directly to the services
provided to County residents. To achieve a high standard of efciency and excellence, the sixth policy pillar describes
how the County delivers services to its residents. Together, these policy pillars create the means to provide innovative
and essential services for residents, establishing Cook County as an exceptional place to live, work, and visit.
Policy Pillars
Healthy Communities
Health and Wellness - Integrating health and social services, addressing the social determinants of health, and improving
the health and wellness of county employees and communities.
Vital Communities
Economic Development - Creating and retaining jobs, developing industry-sector strategies, supporting workforce
training and development, quality housing, safety net services and investments in infrastructure.
Safe and Thriving Communities
Safety and Justice - Implementing violence-reduction strategies proven to improve community safety, advocating for
sustainable reforms within the criminal justice system, and investing in community-based services for residents.
Sustainable Communities
Climate Resiliency - Prioritizing environmental justice, addressing climate change, investing in clean energy and green
jobs, and creating equitable access to open spaces.
Connected Communities
Infrastructure and Technology - Maximizing the benets of County buildings, improving transportation systems, and
managing enterprise technology services.
Open Communities
Good Government - Achieving operational excellence by being accountable to residents, investing in the area workforce,
and continuously improving County services.
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
3
Support Healthy, Thriving Communities
All communities provide safe and
healthy environments, quality housing
and access to nutritious food
Ideas include:
• Expand county-wide, community-based access to
physical and mental health services especially in schools
• Invest in alternative rst-responder initiatives for those
experiencing mental health crises and others at the
intersection of health and justice
• Expand supportive and permanent housing for specic
populations
• Support local food growers and producers
• Support replacement of lead water service lines
Produce Services for Vulnerable Residents
Vulnerable and marginalized
residents can access services that
improve their quality of life
Ideas include:
• Continue supporting basic resident needs including access to
childcare, food, housing assistance, utility and cash assistance.
• Expand violence prevention and reduction wrap-around
services to individuals and communities at highest risk of
violence.
• Develop and scale justice programs that specically serve
youth and young adults.
• Assist residents facing evictions and foreclosures, including
with nancial assistance and legal aid support
Drive Equitable Economic Recovery and Growth
Inclusive recovery and growth reduces
disparities and improves economic
opportunities for all residents
Ideas include:
• Continue and expand programs for workers and small and
BIPOC-owned businesses
• Expand workforce development efforts
• Support industry and sector efforts focused on
manufacturing, food processing, transportation, distribution
and logistics, and the green community.
• Support the expansion of affordable and quality housing and
other wrap-around services that lift residents out of poverty
• Invest in additional transportation projects that support
equitable economic growth
Strengthen Local Governments
Local governments can access
Cook County’s scale and expertise
to support key functions
Ideas include:
• Provide capacity and technical assistance to local
governments to support:
o Capital improvement projects
o Transportation investments
o Emergency preparedness
o Energy efciency and sustainability
• Support efforts by local governments to share services
or assets
Invest in Key Infrastructure
High-priority infrastructure projects
impact more residents, more quickly
Ideas include:
• Jumpstart broadband expansion to increase digital equity in
communities of need
• Expand “Invest in Cook” program
• Broaden browneld remediation efforts to more communities
• Invest in green infrastructure to address sewer backups and
ooding
• Expand electric vehicle charging station infrastructure,
especially in the south suburbs
Support the Metropolitan Region
Governments across the region
have a collective interest in working
together - “We all do better when
we all do better”
Ideas include:
• Support Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP)
to enhance its equity-based transportation and development
activities
• Continue collaborating with the City of Chicago on projects
that support the County’s policy priorities
• Support the “We Rise Together” initiative and others
that focus on regional economic growth opportunities
• Assist with the creation of a region-wide 311 system to
address non-emergency calls regarding service delivery
Figure 1. Cook County Funding Themes
Funding Themes
The community engagement efforts and the feedback mechanisms have also led to the identication of key funding
themes. These themes complement the policy pillars and expand on those pillars by building out ideas for implementation.
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
4
Program Sustainability
As the period of performance for ARPA funding approaches its mid-point, we want to plan for the future. Cook County
acknowledges that its portfolio of transformative programming is bound to the ARPA period of performance and has
launched a Program Sustainability effort to continue the important work this funding has supported.
In Spring 2023, the County convened a Program Sustainability Working Group to holistically examine the County’s
priorities and determine how to allocate resources to vital programs post-2026. The process, currently ongoing, includes
a program-level review, alignment to County priorities, and community engagement.
Together, these efforts mark signicant nancial and programmatic investments that are aimed to advance equity and
amplify long-term impact. All these efforts are rooted in the Policy Roadmap, charting the path for coming years,
adapting and responding to signicant, emerging needs, and providing a framework for Cook County’s strong response
and leadership.
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
5
Uses of Funds
Funding Framework
Cook County intends to allocate the $ 1,000,372,385 in ARPA funding based on its six policy pillars. The planning
framework reects core County principles, including a focus on making progress toward racial equity throughout the
county, the policy pillars identied above, the need for increased capacity within the County to support timely design,
implementation, community engagement and compliance reporting of the programs created through ARPA funding,
and support for local governments. The driving core principles for the uses of the funds include the following key
components:
Target ARPA funding to support County policy priorities.
Center decision-making on core values of equity, engagement and excellence.
Build on foundation of existing County and regional efforts, including the County’s Policy Roadmap, Equity Fund and
We Rise Together.
Avoid duplication of resources by leveraging existing efforts and infrastructure.
Maximize ARPA funding by cross-mapping initiatives against more restrictive funding streams rst.
Implement best practices from the COVID-19 response.
• Stand up additional capacity, infrastructure and expertise early
• Offer technical assistance to local governments regarding effective administration of ARPA funds
Maintain exibility to reallocate funding as needed and as federal guidance evolves.
Have a path to program sustainability or use one-time funds for one-time uses.
Identication and Approval of Projects
Beginning in the summer of 2021, the County led an extensive process to identify proposals addressing the most
urgent County needs. These ideas for SLFRF spending stemmed from a variety of stakeholders, including County
Commissioners, County Bureaus, non-prot partners, community surveys, separately elected ofcials and advisory bodies
such as the Equity Fund Taskforce.
This process resulted in 426 proposals submitted for the County’s consideration. In its next phase, the County provided
its established Policy Pillar Teams, groups of about 10-20 subject matter experts in each of the six policy pillars, with
each proposal for evaluation. All proposals were reviewed collaboratively, incorporating multiple evaluation criteria and
metrics through a multi-phased approach. The various review committees worked to identify and streamline overlapping
proposal ideas, ultimately advancing proposals aligned to the County’s priorities. Policy Pillar Teams took into account
the equity focus of each proposal in evaluation in addition to program goals and design. After proposal renement and
prioritization, the Policy Pillar Teams voted upon the remaining proposals.
Proposals that advanced from the Policy Pillar Teams were then considered by the Executive Leadership Council (ELC),
a collection of Bureau Chiefs and Department Heads, together with County leadership who further prioritized and
approved these proposals holistically across all six Policy Pillars. There are currently 79 community initiatives which the
ELC deemed as addressing County priorities.
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
6
Project Management Ofce (PMO)
To usher program ideation into program administration, Cook County developed a thorough project management
review and implementation process. In doing so, it ensures comprehensive assessment of each program and the support
needed to actualize the initiatives.
This PMO team spanned many County contributors to provide support and expertise for program standup.
Departments include:
• Ofce of the President • Legal Department
• Ofce of the Chief Financial Ofcer • Contract Compliance
• Department of Budget and Management Services • Department of Research, Operations, and Innovation
• Bureau of Asset Management • Ofce of the County Auditor
• Bureau of Human Resources • Ofce of Legislative Affairs
• Bureau of Technology • Comptroller
• Ofce of the Chief Procurement Ofcer
• Ofce of the Public Information Ofcer
PMO review at Cook County included the following phases, ensuring the efcient rollout, management and oversight
of all community initiatives:
PHASE I
Intake
• Departments identify program lead to complete
a comprehensive information packet for all
proposals approved by the Board of
Commissioners.
• Program leads are expected to create proposed
budgets, identify Treasury Expenditure
Categories, and dene goals and metrics to track
program effectiveness.
PHASE II
PMO Review
• The Project Management Ofce (PMO) reviews
information packets and meets with program
leads to move proposals toward implementation.
• Elements critical to implementation success
(procurement processes, budget, metrics,
technology support) will be a part of the PMO
review process.
PHASE III
Implementation Readiness
• PMO will nalize Treasury Expenditure
Category, program metrics and set up
necessary program codes and accounts to
transfer program funding.
• Programmatic Teams will set up technical
assistance for each given program.
PHASE IV
Monitoring & Compliance
• Implement processes to select and sign
agreements with contractors and subgrantees
as needed, with appropriate scal reporting
structures to ensure County partners comply
with contract terms and Treasury requirements
are met.
PHASE V
Reporting & Impact Evaluation
• In accordance with Treasury-dened metrics,
and internal metrics established by the PMO,
measure the impact of ARPA-funded programs
to ensure positive results for residents.
• Produce regular reports for Treasury and
County residents.
• Evaluate program impacts to inform future
County policy decisions.
As of the publication of this report, 79 community initiatives have undergone PMO review and will be reported in the
Project Inventory below (Page 18 onwards).
In creating this thorough review process and service group to oversee and manage ARPA programming, Cook County
is ensuring all its initiatives include rigorous eligibility analysis and consistently display its core values of equity,
engagement and excellence.
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
7
$411.6M
1
S
S
u
u
s
s
t
t
a
a
i
i
n
n
a
a
b
b
l
l
e
e
C
C
o
o
m
m
m
m
u
u
n
n
i
i
t
t
i
i
e
e
s
s
$43,663,686
H
H
e
e
a
a
l
l
t
t
h
h
y
y
C
C
o
o
m
m
m
m
u
u
n
n
i
i
t
t
i
i
e
e
s
s
$62,477,101
S
S
a
a
f
f
e
e
&
&
T
T
h
h
r
r
i
i
v
v
i
i
n
n
g
g
C
C
o
o
m
m
m
m
u
u
n
n
i
i
t
t
i
i
e
e
s
s
$73,387,934
V
V
i
i
t
t
a
a
l
l
C
C
o
o
m
m
m
m
u
u
n
n
i
i
t
t
i
i
e
e
s
s
$113,255,611
C
C
o
o
n
n
n
n
e
e
c
c
t
t
e
e
d
d
C
C
o
o
m
m
m
m
u
u
n
n
i
i
t
t
i
i
e
e
s
s
$80,857,226
O
O
p
p
e
e
n
n
C
C
o
o
m
m
m
m
u
u
n
n
i
i
t
t
i
i
e
e
s
s
$37,896,554
Board Resolutions
Cook County’s Board of Commissioners is committed to a rigorous oversight process of proposed SLFRF programming.
The Board plays a crucial role in the approval of proposed initiatives and oversight of program administration. Through
Board reviews of detailed initiatives or subrecipient agreements of over $1 million, the County ensures a thorough review
of allocation of SLFRF monies.
On July 29, 2021, the Board of Commissioners of Cook County approved initial SLFRF allocations totaling up to $25
million to be spent through December 31, 2021. These initial allocations were made by the Cook County Board to
enable continued ARPA-funded support for certain County initiatives established using the Coronavirus Relief Funds
(CRF) in 2020, as well as immediate County personnel support needs for ARPA implementation.
On January 13, 2022, and March 17, 2022, the Board of Commissioners voted to approve allocations of funds per
Policy Pillar for Fiscal Year 2022 and a full list of proposed initiatives, detailed in the project inventory below. On
November 17, 2022, the Board of Commissioners voted to approve the Executive Budget Recommendation for
Fiscal Year 2023. On November 16, 2023, the Board of Commissioners voted to approve the Executive Budget
Recommendation for Fiscal Year 2024.
State & Local Fiscal Recovery Fund: FY24 Board Appropriated Budgets
FY24 Policy Pillar Budgets
Healthy Communities $62.5M
Vital Communities $113.3M
Safe & Thriving Communities $73.4M
Sustainable Communities $43.7M
Connected Communities $80.8M
Open Communities $37.9M
Total (FY24) $411.6M
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
8
Strategy and Goals by Treasury Expenditure Category
Public Health
Cook County has focused on initiatives such as expanding access to physical and mental health services and programs
to address community violence. The Cook County Department of Public Health’s (CCDPH) In-Home Vaccination Program
and Hyperlocal Vaccination Program work to ensure that Cook County residents have access to COVID-19 and inuenza
vaccinations. Other initiatives include the expansion of existing prevention activities for disorders exacerbated by
COVID-19—such as opioid and substance use in suburban Cook County—the hiring of full- time behavioral health care
coordinators at Housing Authority of Cook County’s (HACC) affordable housing properties, and millions in additional
funding to enhance behavioral health care at the community level by increasing the numbers of social workers to CCH’s
Ambulatory Care sites and adding after-hours behavioral health clinics in the community. With the understanding that
community violence is a public health emergency, Cook County’s Justice Advisory Council (JAC) is set to host several
projects that adopt a holistic approach to community violence that focus on community engagement and community
partners.
TR011: Cook County Behavioral Health Services
To meet the growing behavioral health needs of Cook County residents, Cook
County Health (CCH) is transforming its current Behavioral Health footprint
with $74 million in funding to offer a robust menu of mental and behavioral
health services and ensure accessibility for all county residents. The rst
year focused on standing up a CCH Ofce of Behavioral Health Services,
expanding existing CCH programs, and planning for long term expansions.
A Behavioral Health Summit was organized with thousands of attendees,
and grant opportunities were released for community-based organizations
addressing specic community needs, especially in historically underserved
areas.
NT897: Violence Prevention and Reduction Grant Portfolio
$85 million in ARPA funding is expanding community-based services
supporting residents at high risk of experiencing gun violence as either a
victim or perpetrator. The program is focusing on communities with the
highest rates of shooting incidents and shooting-related homicides in Chicago
and Suburban Cook County. The Community Violence Intervention (CVI)
strategies that are implemented by partner organizations include: victim
services, hospital-based services, street outreach, case management, and
prevention and support services.
Project
Spotlight:
Community
Violence
Interventions
Project
Spotlight:
Behavioral
Health
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
9
Negative Economic Impacts
Cook County is going to great lengths to address the negative economic impacts of COVID-19 through a comprehensive
strategy targeting assistance to households, neighborhoods, small businesses, and impacted industries. Assistance to
households includes cash assistance, food assistance programming (which has assisted over 6,200 unique households as
of the date of this report), support to hotel-based sheltering models to house Cook County’s unhoused, and legal aid for
housing and debt (which provides legal aid and mediation services to those at risk of eviction or foreclosure stemming
from COVID-19 impacts). Additionally, under the leadership of Cook County’s Bureau of Economic Development (BED),
ARPA funding was used to create 125 new units of permanent supportive housing, a nationally recognized best practice
for ending homelessness. This is a housing model that pairs non-time-limited rental subsidies with individualized,
intensive, supportive services to help households maintain independent living and housing stability.
Cook County’s programming includes one-on-one technical assistance to impacted small businesses, a program to
purchase and retire the medical debt of income-eligible patients, and a grant program to assist veteran-owned impacted
small businesses.
NT116: Guaranteed Income Program
Cook County was proud to launch the largest guaranteed income program in
the country - a $42 million initiative providing recurring monthly, unrestricted
payments to 3,250 residents, selected through a lottery, for two years
to improve participants’ long-term economic stability. This builds on the
demonstrated success of guaranteed income programs in other jurisdictions
in increasing residents’ nancial stability and improving their health outcomes.
Cook County’s program will include a research evaluation component to help
the County better understand participant impacts.
NT111: Small Business Grant Program
In 2023, Cook County committed one of its single largest allocations of its
American Rescue Plan Act funds—$71 million—to support and invest in the
resiliency of local small businesses. Cook County received 16,000 applications
from businesses with less than 20 employees. Through the Cook County
Small Business Source, 3,000 businesses received grants of $10,000 or
$20,000 based on their annual revenues. Cook County prioritized supporting
businesses in sectors adversely impacted by COVID and distributed over
66% to businesses in the hospitality, retail, transportation, childcare and the
arts and entertainment sectors This includes awards to 45 conrmed veteran-
owned businesses, and distribution of 60% of grants to businesses located in
suburban Cook.
A survey of the 3,000 grant recipients received a 27% response rate. Close to
20% respondents indicated that they would have closed without the grant,
and over 65% noted that the grant provided "important" support to them for
covering expenses.
Project
Spotlight:
Household
Assistance
Project
Spotlight:
Economic Impact
Assistance
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
10
Public Health-Negative Economic Impact: Public Sector Capacity
Cook County recognizes that its public sector capacity is critical to delivering COVID-19 programming and other
essential services. To that end, it has invested into capacity building resources such as a public health emergency
preparedness expansion, digital equity analysis and planning, and robust evaluations of priority programming. Examples
include food deserts in Cook County preventing residents from access to nutritious food, an analysis of Cook County’s
criminal justice budgets and efforts, or Cook County’s 2-1-1 and community information exchange linking health, human
and social services to better care for its residents.
Premium Pay
To support employees for work done to mitigate COVID-19 since the public health emergency was declared in March
2020, the Cook County Board of Commissioners approved certain one-time payments over a series of Board meetings
for certain Cook County employees. The Board approved one-time payments of $3,000 for FY2021 and $1,000 for
FY2022 per applicable employee, with limited exceptions as identied in the County’s Collective Bargaining Agreements.
The County distributed $45.13 million to applicable employees between FY21-23. The County has acknowledged and
has been in full compliance with the guidance from the Treasury that due to the end of the Public Health Emergency,
premium pay could only be administered to essential workers for work completed through April 10, 2023.
Water, Sewer, and Broadband Infrastructure
Cook County is focusing on initiatives such as increasing water and energy efciency and expanding broadband to
increase digital equity in disadvantaged communities.
In partnership with municipal water utilities, the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development is overseeing and
managing lead service line replacement across suburban Cook County. This program targets high-risk facilities, including
home-based daycares and daycare centers. The County has allocated $15 million for this initiative and an additional
$5 million has been allocated to remove lead water pipes at two Housing Authority of Cook County (HACC) affordable
family housing properties. Additionally, the County has provided funding to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District
of Greater Chicago (MWRD) to support stormwater management in communities that experience signicant ooding.
The County is also working towards expanding the Broadband Infrastructure, particularly in the South Suburb
Communities which have one of the highest Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) in the State of Illinois. A majority of the
new ber lines are being extended in highly vulnerable communities including education institutions and government
institutions that serve these communities. Free Wi-Fi in public places of anchor institutions will benet residents indirectly
who are in need of free internet connectivity. The County has approved $10 million to support the extension of the
broadband infrastructure in these communities.
The projects in the infrastructure categories intend on lling the gaps of essential services in an equitable and efcient
manner, in line with the White House’s Justice40 Initiative and the County’s own equity priorities.
Revenue Replacement
The County’s calculated revenue replacement includes a $100 million appropriation in scal year 2022 to be used to
support County Operations and provision of government services, including administrative costs, capacity building
activity, capital infrastructure and sustainable ongoing personnel costs. These activities are capped at an amount equal or
less than the amount of revenue loss calculated.
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
11
Other Federal Recovery Funds
Coronavirus Relief Fund
Cook County received $428.6M from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act’s Coronavirus
Relief Fund, which was administered by the Department of the Treasury and concluded December 2021.
• $308.6M to operational initiatives and direct costs incurred by the County in order to address COVID-19 and ensure
continuity of services in compliance with public health guidance and mandates, including costs incurred to reorganize
the County’s public space for social distancing, the purchase of equipment to allow workers to telecommute, and
funding used to defray the cost of public health and public safety workers directly involved in the response to the
pandemic;
• $50.8M to assist 134 suburban municipalities and units of local government pursuant to an equitable distribution
strategy, which recognized that a historic disinvestment in certain communities within the County resulted in an
unequal capacity for suburban local governments to respond to the challenges that COVID-19 presents; and
• $69.2M distributed via the Bureau of Economic Development to direct service providers within Cook County to
address critical social service needs as well as economic and community development needs which launched The
Cook County Community Recovery Initiative that includes, but is not limited to, the following: Cook County COVID-19
Small Business Assistance Program, The Southland Development Authority Business Growth Services, Cook County
Job Training and Placement, Cook County Rental Assistance Program, Cook County Mortgage Assistance Program,
and Cook County Critical Social Service Programs (Homeless Sheltering Program, Legal Aid, Housing Counseling and
Foreclosure Mediation Program, Food Assistance Program, Direct Financial Assistance Program).
Emergency Rental Assistance Funds
Cook County received $72.8M from the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) in December 2020, for use in its
Emergency Rental Assistance Program which launched in March 2021. Treasury requires at least 90% of the total
award be used to provide rent and utility nancial assistance and that no more than 10% of the total award be used for
administrative costs and that no more than 10% of the total award be used for housing stability services. At program
inception, Cook County has budgeted $65.5M - or 90% of the total award - for rent and utility nancial assistance and
$7.3M - or 10% of the total award - for administrative and housing stability services costs. As of the date of this report,
however, Cook County obtained a total of $15.5M in four rounds of ERA 1 Reallocated Funds. The County allocated
$11.3M of the Reallocated Funds and diverted $3M in funds originally allocated for administrative costs to rent and utility
assistance. Thus, the County has allocated a total of $84M to rent and utility assistance, with all funds obligated to-date
(100%) and 9,550 applications supported (representing over 95% of total funds used for direct assistance).
With the passing of the American Rescue Plan Act, the County received an additional allocation of $75.17M which is
being used for a supplementary phase of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. The second phase of the program
launched in the fourth quarter of 2021. The program targets low-income renters in Suburban Cook County who meet the
criteria of:
• Households with income under 80% Area Median Income (AMI) based on the number of people in the household
• Those who show nancial hardship during or due, directly or indirectly, to the Coronavirus pandemic
• Those who demonstrate risk of homelessness or housing instability
With the expanded allowances under ERA 2, Cook County originally budgeted $66M for rent and utility nancial
assistance and $9M - or 12% of the total award - for administrative and housing stability services costs. As of the date of
this report, however, Cook County obtained a total of $10M in three rounds of ERA 2 Reallocated Funds. The County has
thus far allocated $5M of the Reallocated Funds and diverted $3M in funds originally allocated for administrative costs to
rent and utility assistance. Thus, the County has allocated a total of $77.6M to rent and utility assistance, with $85.2M of
funds obligated to-date (100%) and 9,551 applications supported.
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
12
Other Federal Recovery Funds, cont’d.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance Funds
On March 9, 2020, the Governor of Illinois proclaimed the COVID-19 pandemic a state disaster, noting that COVID-19
is a novel, severely acute respiratory illness that spreads through respiratory transmissions, with certain populations
being at higher risk of more severe illness. During the incident period for disaster, DR- 4489-IL, the COVID-19 pandemic
created an immediate threat to the health and safety of the public requiring an emergency response and institution
of protective measures throughout Cook County and the rest of the State of Illinois. Beginning January 20, 2020,
Cook County has been legally required to provide emergency medical care to its population. On March 26, 2020, a
Presidential declaration of a major disaster was issued for the State of Illinois (DR-4489-IL). The declaration established
the start of the COVID-19 pandemic as January 20, 2020 (and ongoing). It also determined that the emergency
conditions in the state were of sufcient severity and magnitude to warrant a major disaster declaration under the Robert
T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq. (the “Stafford Act”). On February 10,
2023, FEMA announced the closure of the incident period, effective May 11, 2023, for all COVID-19 emergency and
major disaster declarations under the Stafford Act, coinciding with the end of the public health emergency for the
COVID-19 pandemic.
Cook County has been actively working with FEMA and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) on its
COVID-19 project applications covering labor, materials and supplies, and vaccination expenses incurred as a result of
the COVID-19 public health emergency since March 2020.
As of the date of this report, Cook County had received reimbursement from FEMA totaling $231.19M on its labor and
materials and supplies project applications to include vaccination operations. An additional $88.9M associated with
labor and materials and supplies project applications remains either under FEMA or State review.
HHS National Initiative to Address COVID-19 Health Disparities Among Populations at High-Risk and
Underserved, Including Racial and Ethnic Minority Populations and Rural Communities Grant
Cook County received $25.2M from HHS as part of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations
Act, 2021. The purpose of the funding opportunity is to build the infrastructure, capacity and capabilities of the Cook
County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) to implement a coordinated and holistic approach with partners that
builds on culturally, linguistically and locally tailored strategies and best practices to reduce COVID-19 risk, builds and
sustains trust with communities and populations disproportionately affected by COVID, and ensures equitable access to
COVID-19 related services and advance health equity.
CCDPH plans to implement activities with partners across all four of the following strategies:
• Expand existing or develop new mitigation and prevention resources and services to reduce COVID-19 related
disparities among populations at higher risk and that are underserved.
• Increase or improve data collection and reporting for populations experiencing a disproportionate burden of
COVID-19 infection, severe illness and death to guide COVID-19 pandemic response.
• Build, leverage and expand infrastructure support for COVID-19 prevention and control among populations that are at
higher risk and underserved.
• Mobilize partners and collaborators to advance health equity and address social determinants of health as they relate
to COVID-19 health disparities.
This funding is available for use during the period of June 1, 2021, through June 1, 2023.
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
13
Other Federal Recovery Funds, cont’d.
Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) COVID-19 Contact Tracing Grant
Cook County received $38,935,752 from IDPH to rapidly scale up its COVID-19 contact tracing program. Cook County
has used these funds on several initiatives to increase contact tracing capacity such as hiring additional personnel and
engaging contractual services (for research and communication resources) ahead of the spend deadline of March 31, 2022.
IDPH COVID-19 Mass Vaccination Grant
Cook County received $9.9M from IDPH to perform mass vaccination efforts. Cook County is targeting the use of these
funds on CCDPH programs and costs not covered by FEMA for mass vaccination efforts, ahead of the December 31,
2022, deadline to spend the funds.
IDPH COVID-19 Public Health Workforce Grant
Cook County received $3.15M from IDPH for scaling up the public health workforce in the face of COVID-19. Cook
County used these funds for establishing, expanding, training, and sustaining public health workforce to support
jurisdictional COVID-19 response needs ahead of the spend deadline of June 30, 2023.
IDPH COVID-19 Response Grant
Cook County received $3.5M from IDPH for accelerating its overall efforts in response to COVID 19 response. Cook
County continued its prevention and response efforts through this grant ahead of the spend deadline of June 30, 2023.
Election Assistance Funds
Cook County received $3.56M from the Illinois State Board of Elections to protect the 2020 elections from the effects of
COVID-19, as part of the CARES Act which provided new Help America Vote Act (HAVA) emergency funds. Cook
County used these funds on a variety of expenses including software for mail ballot printing/mailing; COVID-19 related
supplies including masks, gloves, disinfectant, sanitizer, face shields and additional election equipment such as scanners.
These funds were used by Cook County during the period of May 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020.
Additionally, Cook County received $1.16M through the Illinois State Board of Elections for postage reimbursement
associated with the increased costs for mailings due to COVID-19 for the November 2020 General Election. These funds
were used by Cook County during the period of July 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020.
Local Assistance and Tribal Recovery Fund (LATCF)
Cook County has received $100,000 through the LATCF program. The LATCF was established under the American
Rescue Plan to eligible revenue sharing county governments for which there is a negative revenue impact due to
implementation of a federal program.
Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Violence Prevention Grant
Cook County received $25M from IDHS to reduce rearm violence through funding a diverse array of service providers
focused on supporting residents at high risk of experiencing gun violence, ahead of the spend deadline of June 30,
2024. The close-out for the grant will be completed by August 2024.
IDHS Emergency Rental Assistance Funds
Cook County received an additional $15M in Emergency Rental Assistance Funds from IDHS’ allocation.
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
14
Promoting Equitable Outcomes
The County has prioritized programming to address historic and continued disinvestment and inequities that have
negatively impacted Black, Latine and other marginalized residents. The County understands the need for qualitative
and quantitative data demonstrating how equity is incorporated throughout the lifecycle of a project, from selection
and design to implementation. The County’s goal has been to distribute ARPA funds to projects and initiatives which
promote an equitable recovery to populations that have been historically disinvested and/or disproportionally impacted
by COVID-19.
As part of its funding strategy, the County leveraged several established equity models including its own Equitable
Distribution Model, components of The Racial Equity 2030 scoring model, socio-economic outcomes that advance
racial equity from PolicyLink’s For Love of Country: A Path for the Federal Government to Advance Racial Equity report,
and the Cook County COVID-19 Community Vulnerability Index (CCVI). Each selected project for funding incorporates
components of these models to assess their impact on equity in the region. Furthermore, the County is administering
funds building upon equity best practices drawn from the distribution of its CARES Act Funding in 2020.
Equity was central in the screening criteria for each project proposed for ARPA funding, woven into the evaluation
process by subject matter experts in the County’s Policy Pillar Teams. Each proposal was collaboratively scored on a
0-3 scale on whether the proposal 1) aligned with a socio-economic outcome that advanced racial equity, 2) served
underserved populations, or those adversely affected by COVID-19, and 3) would support equitable recovery from
COVID-19. As such, each proposed community initiative was evaluated for its equity impact. Where possible, approved
programs have been requested to track equity- centric metrics (such as demographic information) to facilitate impact
evaluation.
County Equity Metrics
BUSINESSES
INDIVIDUALS
EQUITY
OTHER
ORGANIZATIONS
MBE’S
WBE’S
Veteran-owned
DOBE’s
#
of Employees
Race
Ethnicity
Gender Identity
Age
Education Level
Disability Status
Non-profits
Clinics
Charities
Religious Organizations
Schools
Other
Populations serviced allows insight
into high priority populations
eligible for federal programming:
• Mothers & Children
• Food Assistance Eligible
• Unemployed or Underemployed
• Veterans’ Services
• Unhoused People
Household Income & Size
Renters vs. Buyers
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
15
Community Engagement
An important piece of the selection and implementation of projects funded under ARPA was utilizing a robust community
engagement process. Cook County views it critical that feedback comes directly from its residents and businesses to help
guide how this funding should be allocated in communities. To build capacity to ensure robust engagement over the
course of the planning and implementation of SLFRF, Cook County engaged a local, well-established organization that
provided professionalized engagement activities, partnering with a diverse group of community-based organizations,
and coordinated councils rooted in marginalized communities or communities that have disproportionately suffered
the health and economic impacts of COVID-19. Community-based organizations and coordinating councils have deep
networks in the communities where they operate and a high degree of trust among members of those communities.
Therefore, these community-based organizations and coordinating councils play a critical role in maximizing community-
based engagement and increasing equitable opportunities for marginalized and under-represented communities to
participate in Cook County’s planning and decision- making processes.
The community engagement approach included three tiers:
1. Broad Outreach: Broad engagement and outreach across all of Cook County including engagement of Commissioner
districts through town halls in impacted communities as well as the launch of the interactive survey for community-wide
input on July 4, 2021.
2. Impacted Communities: Hyper local engagement and outreach in the impacted communities that have been
historically disinvested in and those hardest hit by COVID-19.
3. Place-Based Outreach: Longer-term, place-based engagement for the transformative initiatives being developed by
the County’s Equity Fund Taskforce, an advisory body established prior to the County’s receipt of SLFRF funds.
Over 30,000 participants engaged in Cook County’s robust surveying and community town halls, generating 270
individual ideas. Survey results were assessed with an equity lens, disaggregating community feedback geographically
and demographically. The full report, published on December 10, 2021, primarily highlights healthcare (particularly
mental health), housing and infrastructure as areas of key concern.
These priorities align with the proposed and approved initiatives by Cook County Board of Commissioners. As programs
are facilitated, many have incorporated their own community engagement focus and outreach efforts to best reach
marginalized populations and ensure equitable programming.
As Cook County considers continued investment in programming beyond ARPA, community engagement will remain a
priority for the County. As the County plans for the years post-ARPA, its program sustainability efforts will incorporate a
community outreach approach by rolling out a community survey, hosting community conversations with residents, and
nally, releasing a report that will provide the results of these efforts in order to provide transparency and insight into
what and how the County plans to prioritize and sustain specic ARPA programs.
• Transformative initiative for Equity Fund Taskforce
• Focused in specic communities selected by Equity Fund Taskforce
• Timing: Longer term and co-created with community
• Priority for both American Rescue Plan Act and Equity Fund
• Focused in historically disinvested communities and those hardest
hit by COVID-19
• Timing: Immediate
• Priority for American Rescue Plan Act funding County-wide
• Timing: Immediate
Figure 3. Cook County Community Engagement
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
16
Labor Practices
As Cook County reviews potential infrastructure programs to communities disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19
public health emergency, a specic review of labor practices is incorporated into the program design. The infrastructure
programs and contracts that utilize ARPA funds may include various labor standards, prevailing wage requirements, local
hiring goals, as well as premium pay plans for onsite workforce.
The infrastructure projects are evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine what labor standards and/or project
labor agreements may be considered to ensure the effective and efcient delivery of high- quality skilled labor. All
infrastructure projects that fall under the denition of “public works” require the payment of wages no less than the
prevailing rate of wages that the Illinois Department of Labor publishes and revises annually on its website at
http://labor.illinois.gov/. Local hiring goals or coordination of employment opportunities through various workforce
programs may be negotiated to provide for economic opportunities for workers in Cook County and projects may
include a provision for premium pay for workers performing services on-site.
Where relevant, the County provides documentation to Treasury of wages and labor standards for capital expenditure
projects and infrastructure projects over $10 million.
The proposed utilization of the above noted labor practices is meant to promote the effective and efcient delivery of
high-quality infrastructure projects while also supporting the economic recovery of Cook County through employment
opportunities for workers.
Use of Evidence
As Cook County evaluated the initiatives submitted by stakeholders and the community, it determined which initiatives
are to be assessed through an evidence-based intervention or rigorous program evaluation. This consideration has been
factored into Cook County’s overall strategy to ensure SLFRF funds are being used efciently, effectively and serving
communities to the highest degree.
By dispatching proposed initiatives through a rigorous PMO review process, the County ensures that project budgets
are allocated toward established, evidence-based interventions. In the project inventory below, where appropriate,
projects are evaluated with relevant evidence clearinghouses and assessed as having a medium or strong evidence basis.
Almost every program with this requirement has an evidence- based approach, with the few exceptions being unique
approaches (such as personalized small business assistance). Furthermore, programs continue to partner with community
partners and academic institutions to facilitate thorough program review. With each Recovery Report, the County will
report evaluations and link to literature if applicable.
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
17
Performance Report
Each new near-term or transformative initiative that has been approved for funding is required to have performance
indicators and/or programmatic data. The Treasury has dened specic programmatic metrics that the County must
report on based on the assigned Expenditure Category for certain initiatives, as detailed in the SLFRF Compliance and
Reporting Guidance. Additionally, the County also requires these programs to develop and report on program-specic
and county equity metrics, based on the scope of the programs. These metrics are factored into Cook County’s overall
strategy to demonstrate progress, transparency, and compliance with the use of SLFRF.
In the ideation of each initiative, program leads proposed a logic model for the project, including outputs and outcomes
as performance indicators. In doing so, Cook County has designed accountability and review structures to ensure
impactful and engaging programming for Cook County residents and visitors.
TARGETS > INPUTS > ACTIVITIES > OUTPUTS > OUTCOMES
The Standard
that the entity
wants to achieve,
what constitutes
success for the
program
• Example: 95%
of applicants
processed within
2 days
The measures of
resources used
by an activity or
process
• Example: # of
applicants received
• Example: amount
spent in dollars
• Example: # of
staff hours used
per application
process
The tasks/actions
the program
performs using
the inputs to
meet the targets
• Example:
assessing # of
applications
• Example:
providing technical
assistance to a #
of applicants
The measures
that quantity the
level of activities
performed
• Example: # of
people receiving
a benet
• Example: # of
people attending
a workforce
program
The benets
of changes for
individuals or
populations
during or after
participating in
program activities
• Example: % of
people that receive
training that were
able to get gainful
employment
PROJECT INVENTORY
Cook County of Illinois
State & Local Fiscal Recovery Funds
The following section inventories Cook County’s immediate (near-term or NT) and
transformative (TR) initiatives launching with this funding. With equity and community
engagement at the forefront of each project, Cook County is proud to usher forward these
ambitious projects with the potential to transform health and wellness, community and
economic development, criminal justice and community safety, environmental sustainability and
public capacity and infrastructure within our geographic region.
Projects included in this inventory have completed PMO review and have been allocated a
budget. They have been designed with feedback and guidance from residents, community
partners, suburban municipalities, and policy experts. In a few instances, similar programs are
combined as a single project to Treasury. Because Cook County allocates funding on a scal
year basis, project cards contain scal year 2024 (FY24) funding amounts and total proposed
funding amounts for the full-term of each project, if extending beyond 2024. Where
expenditure categories indicate additional reporting requirements, special characters
(* and ^) will indicate use of evidence and beneciary demographic distribution reporting
requirements respectively.
Cook County looks forward to progressing these programs for a better, stronger, and more
resilient County over the coming years.
HEALTHY
COMMUNITIES
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
20
NT887 Contact Tracing Initiative
Policy Pillar: Healthy Communities
Department: Cook County Department of Public Health
Project Identication Number: 61503
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $5,705,560
FY24 Funding Amount: $0
Project Term: 2022-2023
Project Expenditure Category: 1.3 COVID-19 Contact Tracing^
Project Overview
The Cook County Department of Public Health has completed this project conducting COVID-19 contact tracing for
congregate settings like nursing homes, schools and other spaces at risk of high-risk and high-volume exposures
(e.g., factories) through 12/31/2022.
Performance Report
Treasury-required Metrics
# of households/individuals served 2,287,122
Program-specic Metrics
# of linked cases to CCDPH from Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)
who are >=65 years as part of congregate living facilities to outbreaks
2,390
# of schools requesting Technical Assistance (TA) through email box 654
% of requests whereby Technical Assistance (TA) was provided within 24
business hours
98%
% of cases linked to outbreaks within 5 business days 87%
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
21
NT895 A, B & C Vaccine Incentives Program
Policy Pillar: Healthy Communities
Department: Cook County Health (Hospital); Cook County Department of Public Health; Ambulatory
& Community Health Network of Cook County
Project Identication Number: 61701
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $4,999,993.62
FY24 Funding Amount: $296,597
Project Term: 2022-2024
Project Expenditure Category: 1.1 COVID-19 Vaccination^
Project Overview
Cook County Health (CCH) provided $100 incentive gift cards to any individual who received a dose of the COVID-19
vaccine at a CCH community health center or community event hosted by the Cook County Department of Public
Health. Additionally, CountyCare implemented a one-time $25 reward loaded onto a member’s Over the Counter (OTC)
Rewards Card to buy approved health and personal care items at participating stores.
Performance Report
Program-specic Metrics
# of people receiving $100 gift cards by agreeing to receive a COVID-19
vaccination (CCDPH)
7,987
Increase in rst dose vaccination rates in priority populations and
communities and protect them from severe illness, hospitalization,
and death from COVID-19 (CCDPH)
380
# of members receiving the COVID-19 vaccine (CountyCare) 65,814
# of gift cards given out or replenished with $25 (CountyCare) 65,814
% of members who received $25 gift cards (of number who received vaccine)
(CountyCare)
100%
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
22
NT045 & NT046 Hyperlocal and In-Home Vaccination Program
Policy Pillar: Healthy Communities
Department: Cook County Department of Public Health;
Project Identication Number: 63201
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $1,382,793
FY24 Funding Amount: $194.91
Project Term: 2023-2024
Project Expenditure Category: 1.1 COVID-19 Vaccination^
Project Overview
The Cook County Department of Public Health’s (CCDPH) In-Home Vaccination Program and Hyperlocal Vaccination
Program worked to ensure that Cook County residents have access to crucial vaccinations. The Hyperlocal Vaccination
program created mobile clinics for COVID-19 vaccination, including boosters and annual inuenza vaccinations. The
funds also supported community engagement, education, and outreach needed to develop and promote mobile
vaccination clinics in high-risk communities, including those with low vaccination rates and a high COVID-19 Community
Vulnerability Index. In addition, the In- Home Vaccination Program funded vaccination providers to continue in-home
vaccinations for COVID-19, including boosters and annual inuenza vaccinations.
Performance Report
Treasury-required Metrics
# of households/individuals served 19,130
Program-specic Metrics
# of mobile vaccination clinics stood up 1,215
# of people vaccinated at mobile clinics 14,943
# of individuals who received outreach and educational efforts 6,646
Point in Time Cook County COVID-19 vaccination rate 85%
# of in-home vaccinations given 3,077
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
23
NT899 Housing for Health
Policy Pillar: Healthy Communities
Department: Cook County Department of Public Health;
Project Identication Number: 63637
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $14,100,000
FY24 Funding Amount: $5,347,210
Project Term: 2022-2024
Project Expenditure Category: 2.16 Long-term Housing Security: Services for Unhoused Persons*^
Project Overview
Housing for Health will improve the health of Cook County Health patients and CountyCare members who are at risk for
homelessness by funding supportive housing through the two avenues – the Flexible Housing Pool and the Homeless
Housing Navigation program. The Flexible Housing Pool provides care to patients at-risk of homelessness who need
post-discharge clinical support being provided by CCH’s medical respite program, RISE. The Homeless Housing
Navigation program intercepts at-risk patients in the emergency room to help them apply for longer-term housing
options
Use of Evidence
The goals are to create clinically-appropriate, temporary and permanent housing placements for patients experiencing
homelessness after hospital discharge, increase the number of patients experiencing homelessness or housing instability
that achieve stable housing, reduce the number of avoidable emergency department visits for patients experiencing
homelessness identied as persistent utilizers, and increase access to community-based healthcare and housing
resources for people experiencing homelessness and patients experiencing housing insecurity.
Evidence-based Determination: Strong evidence base
Name of Study Source Study Description Study Type
Housing First for Long-
Term Shelter Dwellers with
Psychiatric Disabilities in a
Suburban County: A Four-Year
Study of Housing Access and
Retention
The Journal of
Primary Prevention
This was a randomized controlled experiment where
the treatment group was assigned to a shelter
that used the Housing First Model and the control
group was assigned to a shelter that did not use this
model. Over four years, the Housing First group’s
retention rate was just below 80%, which is signicant
considering the sample’s chronic homelessness and
high rates of shelter recidivism.
Members of the control group continued to cycle in
and out of the system, while those in the treatment
group average returns to the shelter was 3.6 with an
average length of those returns lasting 13.3 nights.
Experimental
Health care utilization following
a homeless medical respite
pilot program
Public Health
Nursing
The study evaluated a homeless medical respite
program using a pre-post program evaluation. There
were 29 participants in the study and data was
collected one year prior and one year post treatment.
The participants reduced their hospital admissions
by 36.7%, spent 70.2% fewer inpatient days when
admitted, and increased their outpatient provider visits
by 192.6%
Non-Experimental
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
24
NT899 Housing for Health, cont’d.
Performance Report
Treasury-required Metrics
# of households/individuals served 854
Program-specic Metrics
# of enrolled patients (at Medical Respite Center) 253
# of enrolled patients who complete clinical stay (at Medical Respite Center) 122
# of patients who exit to stable housing post-discharge (at Medical Respite Center) 34
# of patients per month referred to Housing Navigator Program 25
# of patients per month referred to Housing Navigator Program who receive at
least one housing placement support
14
# of patients across all aspects of program 767
# of patients connected to additional healthcare services 199
# of receiving stability services 281
% of enrolled patients who complete clinical stay (MRC) 48%
% of patients who exit to stable housing post-discharge (MRC) 12%
% of patients (total) connected to additional healthcare services 79%
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
25
NT041 Building Healthy Communities Initiative
Policy Pillar: Healthy Communities
Department: Cook County Department of Public Health;
Project Identication Number: 65262
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $6,092,209
Proposed FY24 Funding Amount: $187,411
Project Term: 2022-2026
Project Expenditure Category: 6.1 Provision of Government Services
Project Overview
The Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) Building Healthy Communities Initiative aims to strengthen the
capacity of and collaboration across CCDPH and local organizations to advance community solutions toward racial and
health equity. Participating organizations across Cook County continued to provide programs and services for mental
health, positive youth development, and healthy food access. Working with local, community-based organizations is
critical in reaching priority populations and building trust with communities for sustainable, transformative change.
Use of Evidence
The Policy, Practice and Prevention Research Center (P3RC) at the University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health
partnered with CCDPH to conduct a multi-method developmental evaluation of the Building Healthy Communities
Initiative. This evaluation sought to understand how community engagement and capacity-building are realized at the
organizational, community, and systems levels by the initiative and CCDPH more broadly. Reports reecting evaluation
activities between October 2022 – June 2023 can be found here: COVID-19 Initiative Evaluation - Cook County
Department of Public Health (cookcountypublichealth.org).
Performance Report
Program-specic Metrics
# of participants or people serviced by beneciaries 78,669
# of additional meals served, distributed, or delivered 532,551
# of youth reached (program participation) by beneciaries 1,760
# of education/information sessions held by beneciaries to promote federal
nutrition assistance programs
122
# of referrals by beneciaries to federal nutitional assistance programs 15,350
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
26
TR011 Cook County Behavioral Health Services
Policy Pillar: Healthy Communities
Department: Cook County Health (Hospitals)
Project Identication Number: 67210
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $74,120,964
Proposed FY24 Funding Amount: $29,772,371
Project Term: 2022-2026
Project Expenditure Category: 1.12 Mental Health Services*^
Project Overview
To meet the growing behavioral health needs of Cook County residents, Cook County Health (CCH) is transforming its
current Behavioral Health footprint to offer a robust menu of mental and behavioral health services to ensure easy access
to services for all County residents. The department is using $74 million in funding to transform its Behavioral Health
services, enhancing care for all Cook County residents. This is being achieved through providing grants to organizations
addressing specic community needs, especially in historically underserved areas; the expansion of existing CCH
programs; and the creation of a new CCH Ofce of Behavioral Health to oversee these initiatives. Additionally, funds will
be used to build out four spaces in Cook County to support and house mental health services.
Use of Evidence
The goals of this program are to have more referrals made to outpatient behavioral health care services by CCH primary
care clinics, inpatient care teams, urgent care, etc.; reduce emergency department utilization for acute behavioral health
patients; establish a 90-day discharge clinical pathway for detainees receiving behavioral health services in Cook County
Jail; and establish a continuum of care for substance abuse disorder patients.
Evidence-based Determination: Strong evidence base
Name of Study Source Study Description Study Type
Health care utilization
following a homeless
medical respite pilot program
Public Health
Nursing
This study evaluated a homeless medical respite
program using a pre-post program evaluation. There
were 29 participants in the study, and data was
collected one year prior and one year post treatment.
Researchers found that participants reduced their
hospital admissions by 36.7%, spent 70.2% fewer
inpatient days when admitted and increased their
outpatient provider visits by 192.6%.
Non-Experimental
Evaluations of Methadone
Treatment in Malaysia: Findings
from the Malaysian Methadone
Treatment Outcome Study
(MyTOS)
Substance Use &
Misuse
This study included a cross-sectional evaluation in 103
methadone maintenance treatment centers in Malaysia.
Researchers found that those patients that received
treatment had a signicant reduction in opioid use, HIV
risk-taking score, and showed improved outcomes in
terms of social functioning and health. There were also
signicant improvements in quality of life in physical,
psychological, social, and environmental domains.
Experimental
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
27
TR011 Cook County Behavioral Health Services, cont’d.
Name of Study Source Study Description Study Type
Even a Little Bit Helps:
An Implementation and
Experimental Evaluation of
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
for High-Risk Probationers
Criminal Justice
and Behavior
This study uses a randomized eld trial to evaluate the
“Choosing to Think, Thinking to Choose” cognitive
behavioral therapy program. High-risk probationers
were assigned to either intensive probation or intensive
probation with a 14-week cognitive behavioral
therapy program. Those in the therapy program were
signicantly less likely to reoffend, although this effect
is concentrated in measures of nonviolent offending.
Experimental
Performance Report
This program has recently been stood up and metrics will be reported in future reports. The following represent
proposed measures for Cook County Behavioral Health Services with the intended outcome of expanding behavioral
healthcare services to all Cook County residents:
• # of patients receiving regular outpatient behavioral health services
• # of Emergency Department referrals to a residential program
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
28
NT884 Community Health Worker Initiative
Policy Pillar: Healthy Communities
Department: Cook County Department of Public Health
Project Identication Number: 64912
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $1,935,815
FY24 Funding Amount: $0
Project Term: 2025-2026
Project Expenditure Category: 1.14 Other Public Health Services
Project Overview
The Cook County Department of Public Health’s Community Health Worker Initiative will leverage community health
workers (CHWs) to improve access to healthcare, social resources and health education in suburban Cook County. This
initiative will support CHWs at CCDPH in providing resource coordination, referrals and education to residents living in
communities most impacted by health inequities. Funding will also support the maintenance and expansion of learning
collaboratives for CHWs and their supervisors that create space for networking, peer learning, and resource sharing.
Performance Report
This program is still in development and metrics will be reported in future reports. The following represent proposed
measures for the Community Health Workers Initiative with the intended outcome of supporting COVID-19 response,
recovery and resilience in the suburban Cook communities hit hardest by the pandemic:
• No. of referrals to services
• No. of community members reached with education and messaging
• No. of Learning Collaborative meetings for CHWs or supervisors held
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
29
NT793 Care Coordination Specialists at HACC Properties
(Behavioral Health Specialists)
Policy Pillar: Healthy Communities
Department: Cook County Health
Project Identication Number: 64310
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $5,788,507
FY24 Funding Amount: $2,373,239
Project Term: 2023-2026
Project Expenditure Category: 1.12 Mental Health Services*^
Project Overview
Cook County will partner with the Housing Authority of Cook County (HACC) to provide full-time care coordinators at all
HACC affordable housing properties. Many HACC residents have complex behavioral health needs that threaten their
ability to live independently and negatively affect quality of life for themselves and others. This proposal aims to reach
some of the County’s most marginalized and isolated residents by bringing services directly to them and allowing them
to build ongoing relationships with service providers. Consistent service by a trusted professional will help many of these
individuals remain stably housed and participate fully in their communities.
Use of Evidence
The goals are to reduce the number of behavior-related lease violations and evictions, reduce frequency of emergency
healthcare visits, and increase resident quality of life and enjoyment of community.
Evidence-base Determination: Strong evidence base
Name of Study Source Study Description Study Type
Systematic review of
psychosocial factors associated
with evictions
Health and
Social Care
This systematic review included 10 peer-reviewed
studies on evictions from the United States, Canada,
Amsterdam, and Britain. 80% of the studies included
indicated that physical and mental health problems are
associated with evictions. One study found that 11% to
40% of the tenants with mental health problems were
evicted in 2003.
Non-Experimental
Impact of supported housing
on clinical outcomes: analysis
of a randomized trial using
multiple imputation technique
National Library
of Medicine
In 1992, the US Department of Housing and Urban
Development Experimental and the US Department
of Veterans Affairs established the HUD-VA Supported
Housing Program (HUD-VASH) to provide integrated
clinical and housing services to homeless veterans
with psychiatric and/or substance abuse disorders.
This study included a randomized control sample
that assigned participants to either HUD-VASH, case
management only, or standard VA care. Researchers
found signicant benets for HUD-VASH participants in
drug and alcohol abuse outcomes.
Experimental
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
30
NT793 Care Coordination Specialists at HACC Properties
(Behavioral Health Specialists), cont’d.
Performance Report
Program-specic Metrics
# of residents meeting with staff members 2,666
# of residents receiving therapeutic services 340
# of residents connected to external services 1,206
# of lease violations associated with residents 92
# of eviction cases associated with residents 22
# of residents receiving additional preventative/standard healthcare 174
% Resident Satisfaction (administered by survey) 44%
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
31
NT037 Sustaining Mental Health Hotline for Suburban Residents
Policy Pillar: Healthy Communities
Department: Cook County Department of Public Health
Project Identication Number: 63810
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $1,485,000
FY24 Funding Amount: $593,416
Project Term: 2023-2025
Project Expenditure Category: 1.12 Mental Health Services*^
Project Overview
The Cook County Department of Public Health and NAMI Chicago will expand an existing mental health support line
in the City of Chicago to provide support and referral for suburban Cook County residents. The hotline will be staffed
seven days a week and will provide emotional support, refer callers to mental health treatment, substance use, and
other resources and provide intensive case support for callers with signicant needs through its clinical support program.
The suburban hotline is funded until May 2023. ARPA funding will be used to provide service to suburban cook county
residents through November 30, 2025.
Use of Evidence
The goal is to provide mental health support to approximately 3,500 to 4,000 callers per year.
Evidence-base Determination: Moderate evidence base
Name of Study Source Study Description Study Type
Are crisis lines meeting
new mental health
needs?
American
Psychological
Association
This article explains how there are no randomized
controlled trials for crisis lines because it is both
ethically and logistically difcult to do so. They
highlight a study by Madelyn Gould, PhD, who
found that 80% of callers who were interviewed 6 to
12 weeks after assessing the lifeline said the crisis line
kept them from carrying out suicide.
Non-Experimental
Follow-up with Callers to
the National Suicide
Prevention Lifeline:
Evaluation of Callers’
Perceptions of Care
Suicide Life
Threat Behavior
This study included 550 callers to the National Suicide
Prevention Lifeline 6 to 12 weeks after they called.
70.6% of participants said the call stopped them from
taking their life and 90.6% said the call kept them safe.
Non-Experimental
Crisis line services:
A 12-month descriptive
analysis of callers, call
content, and referrals
National Library
of Medicine
This study looked at various aspects of a crisis line
service center in the US over 12 months. They found
that 99.5% of the callers (n=3,068) reported that the
call was helpful.
Non-Experimental
Performance Report
Program-specic Metrics
# of callers 677
# of calls by zip code 309
# of emergency assistance instances provided per type 12
# of emergency assistance instances provided per zip code 5
# of referrals provided to callers from suburban Cook County 1,627
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
32
NT033 Lead Poisoning Prevention Fund
Policy Pillar: Healthy Communities
Department: Cook County Department of Public Health
Project Identication Number: 65656
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $3,881,230
FY24 Funding Amount: $1,026,731
Project Term: 2022-2025
Project Expenditure Category: 2.2 Social Determinants of Health: Lead Remediation*^
Project Overview
The Lead Poisoning Prevention Fund supplies funding for the Cook County Department of Public Health’s lead program,
supporting staff who work to prevent and address children’s lead exposure in suburban Cook County, as well as lead
hazard remediation for low- to middle-income families. ARPA dollars will extend the work of the Department for an
additional three years allowing continued services to families with lead-exposed children, including lead exposure
prevention education, lead risk assessments to identify lead-based hazards in the home, and remediation of identied
hazards to remove or control them and protect children.
Use of Evidence
The goals of the program as lead hazard remediation and provider education. Evidence-base Determination: Moderate
evidence base
Name of Study Source Study Description Study Type
Evaluation of HUD- funded
lead hazard control treatments
at 6 years post-intervention
ScienceDirect The US Department of Housing and Urban
Development provided grants to state and local
governments to control lead- based paint hazards
in low income, private homes. Using a stratied
random sampling scheme, this study found that this
intervention signicantly reduced environmental lead
levels on oors, window sills and window troughs.
Non-Experimental
The impact of low-level toxicity
on school performance among
children in the Chicago Public
Schools: a population-based
retrospective cohort study
Environmental
Health
The study examined 58,650 children born in
Chicago and examined the association between lead
concentration and academic performance. Researchers
estimate that 13% of reading failure and 14.8% of math
failure cases can be attributed to higher blood lead
concentrations.
Non-Experimental
Health Effects of Lead
Exposure
Centers for Disease
Control and
Prevention
The CDC outlines how lead exposure harms children’s
health including damaging the brain and nervous
system, slowing growth and development, learning
and behavior problems, and hearing and speech
problems.
Non-Experimental
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
33
NT033 Lead Poisoning Prevention Fund, cont’d.
Performance Report
Program-specic Metrics
# of units where lead hazards were identied 103
# of units where lead hazards were removed 50
% of units where lead hazards were removed 48%
# of applications submitted for lead hazard remediation 69
# of applications approved for lead hazard remediation 61
% of applications approved for lead hazard remediation 88%
# of medical providers trained on lead screening and reporting requirements 52
# of nurse home visits conducted 225
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
34
NT036 Opioid Overdose and Substance Use Prevention Initiative
Policy Pillar: Healthy Communities
Department: Cook County Department of Public Health
Project Identication Number: 63711
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $8,733,602
FY24 Funding Amount: $3,546,127
Project Term: 2023-2026
Project Expenditure Category: 1.13 Substance Use Services*^
Project Overview
The opioid overdose prevention initiative expands on existing prevention activities to address the impact of COVID-19
on opioid and substance use disorder in suburban Cook County. The initiative includes:(1) distributing naloxone and
other harm reduction supplies and providing community outreach and public education on how to recognize and
respond to an overdose; (2) bolstering capacity for harm reduction services in the South and West suburbs where
harm reduction non-prots are few and far between; (3) expanding community-based drug checking programs; and 4)
expanding initiatives to leverage existing and new data sources to inform substance use prevention efforts. Cook County
Department of Public Health analysis shows a strong connection between poverty and overdose risk, and increases in
opioid overdose deaths for middle-aged, African American men in suburban Cook County.
Use of Evidence
The goals are to increase naloxone access, increase access to harm reduction services, increase access to drug checking
services and improve understanding of the illicit drug market composition.
Evidence-base Determination: Moderate evidence base
Name of Study Source Study Description Study Type
Impact of a community-based
naloxone distribution
program on opioid overdose
death rates
Drug and Alcohol
Dependence
This study evaluated a naloxone distribution program
implemented in North Carolina in August 2013.
They did a one-group, pre-post design study using
county-level data. Researchers found that distributing
naloxone kits was associated with lower opioid
overdose death rates. They estimate that 353 deaths
were avoided by this program. Additionally, on average
for every dollar spent on the program, $2,742 were
saved due to avoiding opioid related deaths.
Non-Experimental
Perspectives on rapid
fentanyl test strips as a
harm reduction practice
among young adults
who use drugs: a
qualitative study
Harm Reduction
Journal
From May to September 2017, this study gave 93
young adults in Rhode Island rapid fentanyl test strips
and taught them how to use them. They then returned
in 90 days to see how the tests affected their behavior.
The study found that 87% of the participants used at least
one of the test strips, and a majority found them useful
and straightforward to use. Additionally, a positive
result from the test led participants to alter their drug
use behavior, including discarding the drug supply,
using with someone else and keeping naloxone nearby.
Non-Experimental
Opioid overdose rates
and implementation of
overdose education and
nasal naloxone distribution in
Massachusetts: interrupted
time series analysis
The BMJ This study evaluated the impact of a state-supported
overdose education and naloxone distribution program
on rates of opioid related deaths from overdose in
Massachusetts. They found that communities that
implemented this program saw a reduction in overdose
related deaths.
Non-Experimental
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
35
NT036 Opioid Overdose and Substance Use Prevention Initiative, cont’d.
Performance Report
Program-specic Metrics
# of clients referred to additional support services 5,099
# of individuals that received harm reduction counseling conducted by CBOs 5,620
# of naloxone kits given out by subrecipients 5,436
# of naloxone training sessions performed by subrecipients 4,665
# of naloxone training sessions performed by CCDPH 1
# of samples drug checked 4
# of total individuals trained 4,832
# of various harm reduction safer use supplies given out by Community-based
Organizations (CBOs)
10,263
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
36
NT886 Public Health Emergency Preparedness Expansion
Policy Pillar: Healthy Communities
Department: Cook County Department of Public Health
Project Identication Number: 65064
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $3,869,826
FY24 Funding Amount: $1,409,113
Project Term: 2022-2026
Project Expenditure Category: 3.4 Public Sector Capacity: Effective Service Delivery
Project Overview
The Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) will expand its Emergency Preparedness and Response
Unit. This expansion aims to ll positions that were not available during the pandemic, including positions focused
on volunteer management, local healthcare readiness and logistics, and coordination in planning. The initiative will
enhance the agency’s capacity in preparedness planning and response. While CCDPH has made great strides towards
ensuring the health and safety of all Suburban Cook County residents, the COVID-19 pandemic shed light on gaps in
infrastructure and systems, especially related to communication and coordination. Opportunities exist for the agency
to strengthen current relationships and engage in new ones to address the needs of communities and populations
disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and underserved populations.
Performance Report
This program is still in development and metrics will be reported in future reports. The following represent proposed
measures for the Public Health Emergency Preparedness Expansion with the intended outcome of enhancing capacity in
preparedness planning and response
• Stakeholders that attended Hazard Risk Assessment workshops
• New protocols identied
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
37
NT043 Suburban Cook County Worker Protection Program
Policy Pillar: Healthy Communities
Department: Cook County Department of Public Health
Project Identication Number: 61912
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $7,858,511
FY24 Funding Amount: $924,952
Project Term: 2022-2026
Project Expenditure Category: 1.14 Other Public Health Services
Project Overview
The Suburban Cook County Workers Protection Program will continue to equip employers and workers, including
temporary and gig workers, with the information, resources, and supports to minimize the transmission of diseases,
including COVID-19, in workplaces. The program will work to advance sustainable tri-directional, worker- centered
systems for education, reporting and compliance, and support policy changes that promote worker rights, health, and
safety for precariously employed workers. Given the exposure that precariously employed workers experienced during
COVID-19, and the groups that belong to these classes of workers, training this group on prevention, transmission, and
safety policy will improve the public health of these populations.
Performance Report
Program-specic Metrics
# of community/worker-led solutions 206
# of violations tracked 131
# of workers reached, educated, or trained 82,275
# of workplaces or communities that establish a worker safety committee 14
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
38
NT118 Food Security Assistance
Policy Pillar: Healthy Communities
Department: Bureau of Economic Development
Project Identication Number: 60713
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $2,663,281
FY24 Funding Amount: $1,267,507
Project Term: 2022-2025
Project Expenditure Category: 2.1 Household Assistance: Food Programs*^
Project Overview
ARPA funding will be leveraged to support the operation of food distribution sites in low-income areas throughout Cook
County. Funding will be distributed to dozens of local pantry partners to ensure they have access to the equipment
needed for food provision in impacted communities, particularly in priority areas in south and west suburban Cook
County. The program will also expand the provision of fresh food in these communities through purchase of cold storage
vans for some site partners and increased refrigerated storage at food pantries. As the program responds to the public
health and economic crisis, the County has a unique opportunity to build a better, stronger, more resilient emergency
food system that not only copes and recovers in emergency but thrives in a way that it provides stability for anyone in
need. This effort aims to transform the emergency food system by investing in new food partners where needed and
building the capacity of existing partners to meet community needs.
Use of Evidence
The goal of the program is to increase access to nutritious food and improve food access locations in suburban Cook
County. Partners are the Greater Chicago Food Depository and their network of community partners.
Evidence-base Determination: Strong evidence base
Name of Study Source Study Description Study Type
Feeding America Map
of Cook County
Feeding America Feeding America’s “Map the Meal Gap” estimate of
food insecurity for 2019 pre-COVID-19 was 9.3% for
Cook County overall and 12.3% for households with
children.
Non-Experimental
Food insecurity among
household with children during
the COVID-19 pandemic
results from a study among
social media users across the
United Sates
National Journal US survey data (n=5,606) indicate exacerbation of
food insecurity during the pandemic. The study offers
preliminary data from the national health emergency
that will be instrumental in guiding additional research
and time-sensitive interventions targeted towards
vulnerable, food insecure subgroups.
Non-Experimental
The impact of novel and
traditional food bank
approaches on food insecurity:
a longitudinal study in Ottawa,
Canada
BMC Public Health This study found that the majority of people who were
food insecure at baseline remained food insecure at
the 18-month follow-up, although there was a small
downward trend in the proportion of people in the
severely food insecure category. Conversely, there
was a small but signicant increase in the average
perceived mental health score at the 18-month follow-
up compared to baseline. Researchers found signicant
reductions in food insecurity for people who accessed
food banks that offered a Choice Model of food
distribution and food banks that were integrated within
Community Resource Centers.
Experimental
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
39
NT118 Food Security Assistance, cont’d.
Name of Study Source Study Description Study Type
Food insecurity and hunger:
A review of the effects on
children’s health and behavior
National Library
of Medicine
Longitudinal studies in Canada indicate that hunger
is related to poor health outcomes, including a higher
risk of depression and suicidal ideation in adolescents,
and chronic conditions, particularly asthma. In addition,
nutrient deciencies, such as iron deciency, are known
to impair learning and cause decreased productivity
in school-age children, and maternal depressive
disorders.
Non-Experimental
Performance Report
Treasury-required Metrics
# of households/individuals served (by program if recipient establishes
multiple separate household assistance programs)
13,086
Program-specic Metrics
# of facility improvement projects invested in under this program 14
# of new refrigerated food transport vans purchased under this program 3
# of total food partner's sites GCFD invested in under this program 32
Total pounds of fresh food (fresh produce, proteins, dairy, breads, food rescue) dis-
tributed at each site that has been invested in under this program
6,125,161
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
40
NT042 Good Food Purchasing Program
Policy Pillar: Healthy Communities
Department: Cook County Department of Public Health
Project Identication Number: 63962
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $4,497,976
FY24 Funding Amount: $2,488,006
Project Term: 2022-2026
Project Expenditure Category: 6.1 Provision of Government Services
Project Overview
The Good Food Purchasing Program (GFPP) is a procurement strategy that directs institutional food purchasing
toward ve core values: local economies, environmental sustainability, valued workforce, animal welfare, and nutrition.
GFPP provides a metrics-based, exible framework to assess progress of public institutions as they work to become a
recognized Good Food Provider. In 2018, Cook County passed a resolution promoting GFPP. This program can support
transforming the local food system into one that is transparent and racially equitable by investing in local food producers
and businesses of color and ensuring safe and fair working conditions for frontline food chain workers.
This program will advance GFPP implementation in partnership with food-procuring County departments and
agencies to support a more just, equitable, sustainable and healthy food system; accelerate implementation of good
food purchasing by further aligning the County's procurement regulations with GFPP and transforming institutional
procurement processes; and provide Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) food workers, producers, and
suppliers opportunities for sustainable growth and equitable access to institutional supply chains.
Performance Report
Program-specic Metrics
# of GFPP trainings (e.g. food chain workers or others within our communities) 24
# of hours of technical and strategic assistance to non-County governmental
institutions
155.25
# of relationship building events (buyer and supplier relationship events) 5
# of the average increase in GFPP score 1
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
41
NT053 Food as Medicine
Policy Pillar: Healthy Communities
Department: Cook County Health (Hospital)
Project Identication Number: 64712
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $2,087,298
FY24 Funding Amount: $674,089
Project Term: 2022-2026
Project Expenditure Category: 1.14 Other Public Health Services
Project Overview
Cook County Health (CCH) will expand efforts to identify and address food insecurity among patients, while also
improving their health outcomes. Food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected minority
populations, including individuals who identify as Black and Latinx. Specic interventions include piloting food pantries
at CCH facilities and providing medically tailored meals to patients who have diet-related chronic conditions. Food
as Medicine interventions can lead to improved health outcomes, and CCH will document impact on patients’ clinical
outcomes, utilization, and behavior change and partner with payers to sustain this work.
Performance Report
The metrics will be reported in future reports. The following represent proposed measures for Food as Medicine with
the intended outcome of identifying and addressing food insecurity among patients, while also improving their health
outcomes:
• Patients accessing on-site food pantry
• Patients accessing on-site food pantry who report a change in food insecurity status
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
42
NT017 Urban Farming Initiative Gap Analysis Research
Policy Pillar: Healthy Communities
Department: Bureau of Administration, Department of Environment and Sustainability
Project Identication Number: 65564
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $150,000
FY24 Funding Amount: $150,000
Project Term: 2023-2024
Project Expenditure Category: 3.4 Public Sector Capacity: Effective Service Delivery
Project Overview
South Suburban Cook County municipalities contain many areas that have been identied as food deserts, or urban
areas in which it is difcult to buy affordable or good-quality fresh food. Initiating or supporting current urban farming
projects in these areas will help deliver healthy and sustainable food options while educating community members on
sustainable farming practices and composting organics. Cook County will conduct a gap analysis study to get a more in-
depth understanding of how to best support current and future initiatives in the short-, medium-, and long-term. In doing
so, Cook County can address its food deserts with equitable programming and development.
Performance Report
Program-specic Metrics
# of agriculture hubs and co-ops identied 238
# of individuals interviewed 52
# of projects and/or organizations in urban agriculture space 3
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
43
NT885 & NT896 Behavioral Health Support and Expansion
Policy Pillar: Safe and Thriving Communities, Healthy Communities
Department: Cook County Department of Public Health and ACHN
Project Identication Number: 62410
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $27,278,932
FY24 Funding Amount: $11,934,147
Project Term: 2022-2026
Project Expenditure Category: 1.12 Mental Health Services*^
Project Overview
Cook County Health (CCH) and The Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) are increasing the capacity
of their mental health programs and services while increasing access for Cook County residents. CCH will enhance
community behavioral health care and access by adding social workers and licensed behavior health therapists to CCH’s
Ambulatory Care sites. CCDPH will expand behavioral health prevention community-based mental health treatment
programs in priority communities of suburban Cook County. Key areas of focus for the health department will include
school and out-of-school time-based prevention and positive youth development programs, suicide prevention,
advancing trauma-informed care approaches at CCH, increasing community capacity for using behavioral health data,
and upstream approaches to behavioral health prevention, including restorative justice and school discipline reform.
CCDPH will also convene partners through regional convenings and leverage Community Health Assessment and
Community Health Improvement Plan processes to increase community engagement and incorporate those with lived
experience into its behavioral health efforts. CCH’s focus will be on expansion of existing direct behavior health services
in community clinics.
Use of Evidence
The goals are to develop a CCDPH Behavioral Health and Policy Database by 2024 to analyze and track trends in
behavioral health risk factors, increase the percent of Cook County residents with access to behavioral health services,
expand community- based treatment groups, increase referrals from primary care providers, and expand access to
mental health prevention programs.
Evidence-base Determination: Moderate evidence base
Name of Study Source Study Description Study Type
Connect: An Effective
Community-Based
Youth Suicide
Prevention Program
National
Library of
Medicine
This study evaluated Connect, a community-based
youth suicide prevention program. They evaluated
648 adults and 204 high school students and saw
signicant changes in knowledge and attitudes about
suicide, increased belief in the usefulness of mental
health care, and reduction in stigma associated with
seeking help.
Non-Experimental
Primary Prevention
Mental Health Programs
for Children and
Adolescents: A Meta-
Analytic Review
Wiley Online
Library
Used meta-analysis to review 177 primary prevention
programs designed to prevent behavioral and social
problems in children and adolescents. The outcome
reects an 8% to 46% difference in success rates
favoring the prevention groups. Most programs had
the dual benet of signicantly reducing problems and
signicantly increasing competencies.
Non-Experimental
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
44
NT885 & NT896 Behavioral Health Support and Expansion, cont’d.
The views of mental
health nurses on continuing
professional development
Wiley Online
Library
This study did face-to-face interviews with 50
mental health nurses. They found that the majority
of participants valued continuing professional
development, with 40% expressing a desire for
professional development through remaining in
service, 30% want an emphasis on the importance of
collegial support amongst peers and management,
and 30% want to further their tertiary studies.
Non-Experimental
Performance Report
Program-specic Metrics
# of clients referred to additional support services 3,070
# of communities reached 1,338
# of hours of technical assistance provided 828
# of participants or people serviced 10,705
# of referrals 1,014
# of schools reached 436
# of youth reached (program participation) 1,806
# of behavioral health providers receiving training 334
# of patients serviced by behavioral health provider 3,281
# of social workers retained (from baseline) 196
# of training hours provided 227
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
45
NT513_BD – Crisis Intervention Pilot Program for Cook County
Policy Pillar: Healthy Communities
Department: Cook County Department of Public Health
Project Identication Number: 67464
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $506,083
FY24 Funding Amount: $485,991
Project Term: 2022-2026
Project Expenditure Category: 3.4 Public Sector Capacity: Effective Service Delivery
Project Overview
Cook County Department of Public Health aims to better understand the needs of the community as it pertains to the
crisis care continuum, with the goal of reducing fragmentation and strengthening the County’s ability to impact the
behavioral health needs of the community. The rst phase will be an assessment of needs in suburban Cook County.
The second phase will be a County-wide Behavioral Workforce Study to further understand areas of need across the
County. In the nal phase, CCDPH will provide grants to local organizations who can meet the needs identied in the
assessments.
Performance Report
This program is still in development and metrics will be reported in future reports. The following represent proposed
measures for the Crisis Intervention Pilot Program:
• # of gaps identied in suburban Cook County crisis care continuum needs assessment
• # of people interviewed or engaged for Cook County crisis care continuum needs assessments
VITAL
COMMUNITIES
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
47
NT111 Small Business Grant Program
Policy Pillar: Vital Communities
Department: Bureau of Economic Development
Project Identication Number: 65121
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $71,000,000
FY24 Funding Amount: $20,000,505
Project Term: 2022-2024
Project Expenditure Category: 2.29 Loans or Grants to Mitigate Financial Hardship^
Project Overview
The Bureau of Economic Development will provide grants to small businesses with less than 20 employees that continue
to suffer from the impacts of COVID-19, as well as early-stage businesses formed since the onset of COVID-19. Program
approach targets businesses owned by BIPOC individuals, women, veterans serving these groups at higher rates than
their County demographic representation.
The grants will position businesses for growth and a sustainable path forward. The County will continue to link its small
business advising services to receipt of grant funds to maximize the impact of these grants. The program will result in
renewed entrepreneurship capacity in the short-term and renewed community wealth in the long- term.
Performance Report
Treasury-required Metrics
# of small businesses served (by program if recipient establishes multiple sepa-
rate small business assistance programs)
3,000
Program-specic Metrics
# of small business grant applications submitted 16,625
# of eligible small business grant applications received 5,677
# of small business grant applications awarded 3,000
# of veteran owned small businesses receiving nancial assistance 45
$ of assistance to veteran owned small businesses $810,000
Businesses served by Target Industry: Accommodation, Hospitality & Food 826
Businesses served by Target Industry: Childcare & Social Assistance 241
Businesses served by Target Industry: Arts & Entertainment 263
Businesses served by Target Industry: Retail Trade 363
Businesses served by Target Industry: Transportation & Warehousing 335
Businesses served by Target Industry: Other 972
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
48
NT108 & NT110 Small Business Assistance
Policy Pillar: Vital Communities
Department: Bureau of Economic Development
Project Identication Number: 60521
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $21,040,611
FY24 Funding Amount: $6,943,777
Project Term: 2021-2024
Project Expenditure Category: 2.30 Technical Assistance Counseling, or Business Planning*^
Project Overview
The Cook County Small Business Source (formerly called the Cook County Small Business Assistance program) provides
direct business advising services or technical assistance, at no cost, to small businesses in Cook County. The program
consists of the following components: One-on-one business advising, also known as technical assistance, available to
Chicago and Cook County small businesses to help address their unique needs, use new tools, and navigate resources.
Webinars and toolkits are available to Chicago and Cook County businesses to explain program resources and guide
small businesses through information that will help analyze their business needs with a COVID-19 recovery lens.
The Southland Development Authority (SDA) (formed in 2019 with support from Cook County) launched the Business
Growth Services program in response to the onset of COVID and its impact on local businesses. The SDA drives
comprehensive, transformative and inclusive economic growth in Cook County’s South Suburbs. The SDA developed
a unique multi-faceted assistance program that connects small businesses to industry experts, mentors and other
resources.
Public Facing Websites
https://cookcountysmallbiz.org/
https://www.southlanddevelopment.org/
Use of Evidence
The goals of this program are to assist over 500 small businesses, increase GDP, median income, property values, and
reduce unemployment.
Evidence-base Determination: No clear evidence base
There is no evidence available to support the interventions included in this initiative due to the personalized nature of
the technical assistance.
Performance Report
Treasury-required Metrics
# of small businesses served (by program if recipient establishes multiple
separate small businesses assistance programs)
15,164
Program-specic Metrics
Total # of businesses served (engaged with, including retained clients) 8,730
Total # of new businesses served (only clients gained in this Month) 5,464
# of new Minority and Women owned businesses served 2,131
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
49
NT115 Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt
Policy Pillar: Vital Communities
Department: Bureau of Economic Development
Project Identication Number: 60317
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $22,209,597
FY24 Funding Amount: $8,254,878
Project Term: 2021-2024
Project Expenditure Category: 2.2 Household Assistance: Rent, Mortgage, and Utility Aid*^
Project Overview
ARPA funding will support the Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt (CCLAHD) program. CCLAHD helps
residents resolve eviction, foreclosure, consumer debt, and tax deed issues pre-court and during the court process.
CCLAHD provides free legal aid, mediation services, case management, and connections for tenants and landlords
dealing with evictions; property owners who are behind on their mortgage payments or property taxes; and creditors and
debtors with issues related to consumer debt.
CCLAHD website: https://www.cookcountylegalaid.org/
Use of Evidence
CCLAHD aims to improve housing stability for renters and homeowners, ensure the court system can continue operating
effectively with increased caseloads, and provide equal access to justice for all parties within the court system.
Evidence-base Determination: Moderate evidence base
Name of Study Source Study Description Study Type
Getting Landlords and Tenants
to Talk (Urban Institute, 2020)
Non-Experimental
Interventions to Prevent Tenant
Evictions: A Systemic Review
(Radboud University Medical
Center, 2015)
Health and Social
Care in the
Community
Literature review of numerous studies providing
evidence on a range of interventions to lower tenant
evictions and resulting homelessness. “Legal assistance
and debt advice are promising interventions that seem
to be effective in decreasing the risk of eviction.”
Non-Experimental
Performance Report
Treasury-required Metrics
# of households/individuals served 38,599
# of people or households receiving eviction prevention services (including
legal representation)
26,371
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
50
NT115 Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt, cont’d.
Program-specic Metrics
# of clients served (ERP) 36,900
# of hotline consultations (ERP) 13,121
# of legal consultations provided (not hotline) (ERP) 15,696
# of cases mediated (ERP) 425
# of cases settled (ERP) 1,293
# of clients served (MFMP) 798
# of cases mediated (MFMP) 2,251
# of referrals to other assistance (ex. rent/mortgage assistance) (MFMP) 197
* ERP = Early Resolution program; MFMP = Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Program
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
51
NT092 Cook County Water Affordability Program
Policy Pillar: Vital Communities
Department: Bureau of Economic Development
Project Identication Number: 63314
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $11,500,000
FY24 Funding Amount: $10,057,905
Project Term: 2024-2026
Project Expenditure Category: 2.2 Household Assistance: Rent, Mortgage, and Utility Aid*^
Project Overview
The Cook County Water Affordability Program will provide water utility bill payment assistance to help households
suffering from income loss and mounting bills during the pandemic, focusing on low-income suburban residents and
residents in Qualied Census Tracts.
The anticipated focus of the program is on communities with the highest level of QCTs. These focus communities
face water affordability challenges and frequently have a high-water burden, meaning that the households spend a
signicantly larger portion of their income on the water and sewer bill. The program will also assist residents without
water access and those dealing with signicant leaks that are contributing to high water bills, while also helping
municipal water utilities address water affordability challenges and reducing their uncollectable debt.
Use of Evidence
Water utility assistance aims to keep water access affordable for residents, thereby reducing stress and nancial insecurity
caused due to a lack of access to this basic resource.
Evidence-base Determination: Moderate evidence base
Name of Study Source Study Description Study Type
Water insecurity and
psychological distress:
case study of the Detroit
water shutoffs
Journal of Public
Health
This article analyzed the psychological dimensions
of water insecurity in Detroit, Michigan using a
community-based participatory study. Their model
found a statistically signicant effect of water insecurity
on psychological distress, and that paying for water
and sanitation causes nancial stress, regardless
of water status.
Non-Experimental
The impact of low-income
home energy assistance
program participation on
household energy insecurity
Contemporary
Economic Policy
This article looked at the impact of the low-income
home energy assistance program (LIHEAP), the single
largest energy assistance program available to low-
income households. The results show that LIHEAP
signicantly increases energy security in low-income
households, and simulations suggest that ending the
program will decrease the number of low-income
energy secure households by 17%.
Non-Experimental
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
52
NT092 Cook County Water Affordability Program, cont’d.
Performance Report
This program is still in development and metrics will be reported in future reports. The following represent proposed
measures for the Cook County Water Affordability Program with the intended outcome of water utility bill payment
assistance to help households suffering from income loss and mounting bills during the pandemic:
• Average total household water debt
• Water debt paid-off
Mandatory Performance Indicators:
Per reporting guidelines, projects in expenditure categories 2.2 must include the following metrics:
• Number of households receiving eviction prevention services (including legal representation)
• Number of affordable housing units preserved or developed
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
53
NT116 Guaranteed Income Program
Policy Pillar: Vital Communities
Department: Bureau of Economic Development
Project Identication Number: 61315
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $42,585,605
FY24 Funding Amount: $20,486,556
Project Term: 2022-2024
Project Expenditure Category: 2.3 Household Assistance: Cash Transfers*^
Project Overview
The Cook County Guaranteed Income Program will provide recurring monthly unrestricted payments to 3,250 residents,
selected through a lottery, for 2 years to improve participants’ long-term economic stability. To qualify, participants’
household income must be at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Guideline. The Guaranteed Income Program builds
on the demonstrated success of guaranteed income programs in other jurisdictions in increasing residents’ nancial
stability and improving their health outcomes. Cook County’s program will include a research evaluation component to
help the County better understand participant impacts.
Public Facing Websites
https://arpa.cookcountyil.gov/promise-guaranteed-income-pilot-program
Use of Evidence
CCLAHD aims to improve housing stability for renters and homeowners, ensure the court system can continue The goals
are to improve nancial stability, economic mobility, and mental and physical health.
Evidence-base Determination: Strong evidence base
Name of Study Source Study Description Study Type
The Town with no Poverty:
The Health Effects of a
Canadian Guaranteed Annual
Income Field Experiment
Canadian Public
Policy
Analyzes the Manitoba Basic Annual Income Experiment
(MINCOME) which was a Canadian guaranteed annual
income eld experiment from 1974 to 1979. They
found an 8.5% reduction in the hospitalization rate for
those that were part of the program compared to those
who did not participate. They also found participants
contacted their physicians less, especially regarding
mental health. They conclude that guaranteed annual
income can improve population health and lead to
signicant health system savings.
Experimental
The Labor Market Impacts of
Universal and Permanent Cash
Transfers: Evidence from the
Alaska Permanent Fund
American Economic
Journal: Economic
Policy
Alaska has been providing residents with a yearly cash
dividend since 1982. This study found that the dividend
had no effect on employment and increased part-time
work by 17%. Their results show that cash transfers did
not decrease aggregate employment and increased the
amount of cash available to stimulate the economy.
Non-Experimental
The impact of cash transfers
on social determinants of
health and health inequities in
sub-Saharan Africa: a systemic
review
National Library of
Medicine
This paper reviewed 53 cash transfer programs in
sub-Saharan Africa. They found that cash transfers
can be effective in tackling structural determinants of
health such as nancial poverty, education, household
resilience, child labor, social capital and social
cohesion, civic participation, and birth registration.
Non-Experimental
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
54
NT116 Guaranteed Income Program, cont’d.
Name of Study Source Study Description Study Type
Stockton Economic
Empowerment Demonstration
Preliminary Analysis: SEED’s
First Year
SEED’s
preliminary report
of their program
Stockton Economic Empowerment Demonstration
(SEED) is a program in Stockton, California that began
in 2019 and gave 125 residents $500 a month for 24
months. In their rst year they found that the control
group experienced 1.5x more income volatility than
the treatment group. The treatment group also showed
statistically signicant differences in emotional health.
Lastly, in February 2019, when the program started, 28%
of participants were employed full-time, and one year
later 40% were employed full-time.
Experimental
An experiment to inform
universal basic income
McKinsey &
Company
Finland conducted a two-year study where 2,000
unemployed people received a guaranteed,
unconditional monthly payment of 560 euros. The
treatment group reported higher life satisfaction (7.3 out
of 10 compared to 6.8), 83% were free of mental-health
problems, and they registered 3 to 9% more working
days per year.
Experimental
The University of Chicago will be conducting the program evaluation using a mixed-methods study. Applicants will be
asked to participate in the study, but cash assistance will not be predicated on agreeing to participate.
Performance Report
Treasury-required Metrics
# of households/individuals served (by program if recipient establishes
multiple separate household assistance programs)
22,163
Program-specic Metrics
# of emails sent promoting program to potential applicants 4,864
# of yers distributed 5,909
# of impressions (views, interactions) on social media ads 3,913
# of impressions (views, interactions) on social posts 69,872
# of interactions with potential applicants on information hotline or messaging
service
1,481
# of interactions with potential applicants via in-person outreach 1,739
# of lottery selected applicants who complete benets counseling 585
# of participants removed from Pilot Program during the payment period 12
# of participants who attend a credit building workshop 34
# of participants who complete an initial counseling session 1
# of participants who enroll in Working Credit's nancial counseling program 1
# of users enrolled in testing 8
# of applicants added to lottery selected group from waitlist 181
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
55
NT116 Guaranteed Income Program, cont’d.
# of applicants assisted in-person at designated application assistance location 1,081
# of applicants assisted in-person at remote location 867
# of applicants who are unable to be veried due to non-responsiveness 1,974
# of applicants who are veried as eligible from administrative or third party lists 1,634
# of applicants who are veried as eligible via submitted documentation,
attestations, and reference checks
10,100
# of applicants who are veried as ineligible 311
# of adult ags that lead to payments being paused during the payment period 1
# of complete applications received 233,162
# of customer service requests from applicants via: Call 23,045
# of customer service requests from applicants via: Email 6,209
# of customer service requests from applicants via: Webform questions 3,732
% of lottery selected applicants who are successfully enrolled 7%
% of participants who have credit scores at their initial counseling session 11%
% of participants who increased their credit score at 6 months after they
complete an initial counseling session
12%
% of participants with at least $1,000 in available credit who complete an initial
counseling session at baseline
11%
% of participants with Prime FICO® 8Credit Scores (>660) who complete an
initial counseling session at baseline
11%
% of payments issued by the agreed upon date of each month to recipients 73%
Completion rate for inbound customer service calls 41
Median response time (hours) for inbound customer service emails 16.9
Median time (days) for customer service requests to be resolved 1
Median wait time (minutes) for inbound customer service calls to be connected
with a specialist
1
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
56
NT888 Veteran Grant Program
Policy Pillar: Vital Communities
Department: Bureau of Administration, Department
Project Identication Number: 61625
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $3,561,378
FY24 Funding Amount: $2,021,351
Project Term: 2023-2025
Project Expenditure Category: 2.37 Economic Impact Assistance: Other*^
Project Overview
The Veteran Grant Program takes a holistic approach to reach more veterans throughout Cook County, enhancing their
resources, and increasing the number of veterans utilizing their earned benets. The program will create a fund to
provide grants to community-based veteran service organizations and veteran-owned businesses, and provide technical
training and job fairs for veterans. The Department of Veterans Affairs has also established a Veterans Roundtable made
up of various veteran community stakeholders that will provide input as the program progresses.
Use of Evidence
The goals are to increase the benet utilization rate for veterans in Illinois, and increase, strengthen, and diversify
employment opportunities for veterans, and increase the service and support for veterans facing nancial hardships
regardless of discharge status.
Evidence-base Determination: Moderate evidence base
Name of Study Source Study Description Study Type
Financial Well-Being and
Post-deployment Adjustment
Among Iraq and Afghanistan
War Veterans
Military Medicine The authors analyzed data from 1,388 Iraq and
Afghanistan war era veterans who completed a
national survey on post deployment adjustment. They
found that veterans who reported having money to
cover basic expenses were signicantly less likely to
face criminal arrest, homelessness, substance abuse,
suicidal behavior, and aggression. Their study suggests
that efforts aimed at enhancing nancial literacy and
promoting meaningful employment may enhance the
quality of life of returning veterans.
Non-Experimental
Temporary Financial Assistance
Decreased Health Care Costs
for Veterans Experiencing
Housing Instability
Health Affairs Through the Supportive Services for Veteran Families
program, the Department of Veterans Affairs partnered
with community organizers to provide temporary
nancial assistance to veterans who are currently
homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless. On
average, people who received the assistance incurred
$352 lower health care costs per quarter than those that
did not receive the assistance.
Non-Experimental
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
57
NT888 Veteran Grant Program, cont’d.
Performance Report
Treasury-required Metrics
# of households/individuals served 6,084
Program-specic Metrics
# of VSO (Veteran Service Ofcers) trained 1
# of Veterans served 2
# of claims processed by type 3
# of claims processed by each location 4
# of Chicago-Cook Technology Academy participants 130
% of Veterans completed training 100%
% of Veterans placed in technology positions 20%
# of Veterans receiving nancial assistance 69
$ of assistance to Veterans $16,288
# of Veteran service organizations receiving nancial assistance 25
$ of assistance to Veteran Service Organizations $50,000
# of Veterans or dependents applying for home improvements 282
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
58
TR002 Medical Debt Relief Initiative (Abolish Medical Debt)
Policy Pillar: Vital Communities
Department: Ofce of the President
Project Identication Number: 61825
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $12,000,000
FY24 Funding Amount: $8,264,892
Project Term: 2022-2024
Project Expenditure Category: 2.37 Economic Impact Assistance: Other*^
Project Overview
Cook County will partner with non-prot organization, Undue Medical Debt (formerly known as RIP Medical Debt), to
purchase and retire the medical debt of income-eligible patients of hospitals located within Cook County who are unable
to cover their medical bills.
Eligible recipients will be Cook County residents and have incomes up to 400% of federal poverty guidelines or have a
medical debt that is 5% or more of their estimated household annual income.
Public Facing Website
https://www.engagecookcounty.com/mdri
Use of Evidence
The goals are to retire the medical debt of patients in need and improve patients’ nancial stability.
Evidence-base Determination: Moderate evidence base
Name of Study Source Study Description Study Type
Reducing debt improves
psychological functioning and
changes decision- making in
the poor
Proceedings of the
National Academy
of Sciences of the
United States of
America (PNAS)
This study examined how chronic debt affects behavior
by studying how a large debt-relief program affected
psychological functioning and economic decision-
making in beneciaries. A non-prot gave low-income
households in Singapore up to 5,000 Singapore dollars.
Comparing 196 beneciaries before and after the debt
relief found that debt relief reduced their anxiety by 11%
and improved their cognitive functions by one-quarter
of a standard deviation.
Non-Experimental
Second Chance: Life
National without Student Debt
National Bureau of
Economic Research
The authors use a plausibly random debt discharge on
student Non-debt, to examine the effect on individual
credit and labor market experimental outcomes. They
found that beneciaries reduced their indebtedness by
11%. They also saw an increase in geographical mobility,
probability of changing jobs, and their income increased
by about $3,000 over a three-year period.
Non-Experimental
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
59
TR002 Medical Debt Relief Initiative (Abolish Medical Debt), cont’d.
Performance Report
Treasury-required Metrics
# of households/individuals served (by program if recipient establishes
multiple separate household assistance programs)
158,541
Program-specic Metrics
# of patients whose debt is retired 158,541
$ Amount of debt purchased $281,338,840
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
60
NT104 Suburban Cook County Travel, Tourism, and
Hospitality Economic Recovery Initiative
Policy Pillar: Vital Communities
Department: Bureau of Economic Development
Project Identication Number: 61232
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $10,000,000
FY24 Funding Amount: $3,000,000
Project Term: 2022-2025
Project Expenditure Category: 2.35 Aid to Tourism, Travel, or Hospitality
Project Overview
Suburban Cook County’s ve Convention and Visitors Bureaus (CVBs), representing over 100 municipalities, banded
together to develop a coordinated strategy to recover from the devastating losses due to COVID-19. ARPA funds will
fund a program to support the resiliency of the suburban travel, tourism and hospitality sectors. Funding for this 3-year
program will be used to formulate an action plan to aggressively pursue meetings and events; participate in regional
leisure promotional campaigns; and assist hotels and restaurants with their sales and marketing. Chicago’s North Shore
CVB will serve as both a subawardee and as the scal agent to distribute funds to the other 4 CVBs, Chicago Southland
CVB, Meet Chicago Northwest, Rosemont CVB, and Visit Oak Park.
Public Facing Website
https://cookcountytourism.com/
Performance Report
Program-specic Metrics
Aggregated for Suburban Cook: Averyage daily rate 113
Aggregated for Suburban Cook: Short-term rental occupancy 27
Aggregated for Suburban Cook: Short-term rental average daily rate 160
Aggregated for Suburban Cook: Share of targeted markets 88
Aggregated for Suburban Cook: Day visitors 21
Aggregated for Suburban Cook: Overnight visitors 79
Aggregated for Suburban Cook: Average length of stay 2
Aggregated for Suburban Cook: Share or repeat visitation 51
Aggregated for Suburban Cook: Total credit card transactions 5,288,235
Aggregated for Suburban Cook: Total credit card spend $306,435,294
Aggregated for Suburban Cook: Average spend per credit card transaction 58
Aggregated for Suburban Cook: Job opening rate 8
Regional Tourism Campaign: # of social media posts/marketing activities 85
Regional Tourism Campaign: Marketing campaigns impressions 22,230,914
Regional Tourism Campaign: Marketing campaigns cost per impression 115
Regional Tourism Campaign: Marketing campaigns click through rate 6
Regional Tourism Campaign: Marketing campaigns conversion rate 7
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
61
NT104 Suburban Cook County Travel, Tourism, and
Hospitality Economic Recovery Initiative, cont’d.
Program-specic Metrics
Chicago's North Shore CVB: Hotel occupancy 54
Chicago's North Shore CVB: Hotel room nights 77,674
Chicago's North Shore CVB:Market share by each destination in the consortium 12
Chicago Southland CVB: Hotel occupancy 63
Chicago Southland CVB: Hotel room nights 125,209
Chicago Southland CVB: Market share by each destination in the consortium 20
Meet Chicago Northwest CVB: Hotel Occupancy 59
Meet Chicago Northwest CVB: Hotel room nights 163,586
Meet Chicago Northwest CVB: Market share by each destination in the
consortium
24
Rosemont CVB: Hotel occupancy 63
Rosemont CVB: Hotel room nights 264,799
Rosemont CVB: Market share by each destination in the consortium 37
Visit Oak Park CVB: Hotel occupancy 59
Visit Oak Park CVB: Hotel room nights 48,391
Visit Oak Park CVB: Market share by each destination in the consortium 8
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
62
NT100 Cook County Manufacturing Reinvented
(Rebound and Recover Programming)
Policy Pillar: Vital Communities
Department: Bureau of Economic Development
Project Identication Number: 62179
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $4,995,000
FY24 Funding Amount: $2,414,498
Project Term: 2022-2025
Project Expenditure Category: 2.30 Technical Assistance, Counseling, or Business Planning*^
Project Overview
With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cook County partnered with the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center
(IMEC) to ascertain the impact of this unprecedented situation and the unique challenges experienced by Cook County’s
manufacturing community due to structural changes to this sector brought upon by the pandemic. The program
surveyed and connected with over 1,000 manufacturers in suburban Cook County to understand their most pressing
needs as a result of the changed landscape. Based upon these ndings, IMEC and Cook County will partner to provide a
comprehensive set of solutions such as technical assistance and matching project grants for county manufacturers
to rebound from the pandemic and improve their global competitiveness, focused on production, market growth,
technology, and workforce.
Since the start of 2024, BED has hosted monthly informational events with its technical partner IMEC, various County
Commissioners, local townships, and other community organizations. These events have been well attended,
averaging 35 attendees with each producing between 2-5 new applicants per event.
Public Facing Website
Companies can apply at Cook County Illinois Manufacturing Reinvented Grant (ccmfg.org)
Use of Evidence
Cook County Manufacturing Reinvented will utilize technical assistance and implementation grants to assist Cook County
manufacturers to address the needs and priorities identied in the Urgent Needs of Manufacturers report completed
by the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center IMEC) in partnership with Cook County. The goal is to assist over 300
manufacturers in areas of greatest need, including market growth productivity automation, workforce development, and
leadership.
Evidence-base Determination: Moderate evidence base
Name of Study Source Study Description Study Type
Manufacturing and service
supply chain resilience to the
COVID- 19 outbreak: Lessons
learned from the automobile
and airline industries
Technological
Forecasting and
Social Change
This study looked at the impact COVID-19 had on
automobile and airline supply chains and analyzed
the short and long-term supply strategies. They found
that developing localized supply sources and using
advanced industry technology along with using Big Data
Analytics were perceived as the best strategies.
Non-Experimental
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
63
NT100 Cook County Manufacturing Reinvented
(Rebound and Recover Programming), cont’d.
Survival of the ttest: Technical
assistance, survival and growth
of small businesses and
implications for public policy
This study analyzed a multiyear survey sponsored
by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Ofce
of Entrepreneurial Development to examine the
relationship between managerial and technical
assistance and rm survival, as well as the relationship
between the characteristics of technical assistance and
nancial and employment growth. Overall, ndings
suggest that managerial and technical assistance have
a positive effect on both survival and growth, but these
effects depend on the size of the rm, characteristics
of the counseling experience, as well as age and other
demographic differences.
Data collected from follow up impact assessments is as follows. These assessments are conducted 6 months after project
completion. Assessments are still being conducted and these numbers will continue to increase.
• $5.3 M in new revenue generated*
• 19 new jobs *
• 112 jobs retained*
• $1.44 M has been spent to date, already indicating positive ROI.
*= data collected from follow up impact assessments. These assessments are conducted 6 months after project
completion. Assessments are still being conducted and this number will continue to increase.
Performance Report
Treasury-required Metrics
# of small businesses served (by program if recipient establishes multiple
separate small businesses assistance programs)
269
Program-specic Metrics
# of applicants received 652
# of active projects 320
# of projects completed 130
# of hours of technical assistance provided 6,654.54
# of projects completed 130
Estimated # of jobs created by projects closed till date 356
Estimated # of jobs retained by projects closed till date 2,269
$ amount of equipment investments made by projects closed in a month
(self-reported)
$2,003,536
$ amount of IT investments made by projects closed in a month (self-reported) $35,615
$ amount of other investments made by projects closed in a month
(self-reported)
$275,778
$ amount of workforce investments made by projects closed in a month
(self-reported)
$32,623
Estimated $ of new sales (self-reported) $225,441,377
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
64
NT100 Cook County Manufacturing Reinvented
(Rebound and Recover Programming), cont’d.
Estimated $ of retained sales (self-reported) $2,116,898,714
Inventory cost savings as a result of projects closed in a month (self-reported) $4,826,000
Investment avoidance cost savings as a result of projects closed in a month
(self-reported)
$1,877,440
Labor cost savings as a result of projects closed in a month (self-reported) $2,839,246
Material cost savings as a result of projects closed in a month (self-reported) $2,214,450
Other cost savings as a result of projects closed in a month (self-reported) $4,098,040
Outreach: Activity - # of one-on-one activities (calls, emails, etc.) 1,232
Outreach: Activity - # of people who attended an event or meeting in a month 913
Outreach: Website Activity - # of mass email requests 51,611
Outreach: Website Activity - # of visitors to the web page 27,360
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
65
NT830 Cook County Arts and Artists Program
Policy Pillar: Vital Communities
Department: Bureau of Economic Development
Project Identication Number: 66225
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $4,989,052
FY24 Funding Amount: $2,196,808
Project Term: 2022-2026
Project Expenditure Category: 2.37 Economic Impact Assistance: Other*^
Project Overview
Cook County Arts is a pilot initiative that seeks to mitigate the lingering negative nancial impacts of the COVID-19
pandemic while working to strengthen the suburban arts sector long term. Through the initiative, the County will invest
almost $3 million in direct grants to nonprots and independent artists. The County has partnered with Arts Alliance
Illinois and the Chicago ofce of the Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC) for their expertise in designing and
implementing programs of support for arts and cultural organizations.
Cook Country Arts programmatic components include:
• Nonprot Relief Grants Program - Up to $800,000 in unrestricted grants to suburban nonprots with a primary mission
to create, produce, present, provide or support arts and culture activities or services for the public;
• Independent Artist Grants - Up to $500,000 in grants to independent artists living in suburban communities to support
creative and career advancement;
• Creative Placemaking Program - With a goal to integrate arts and design into revitalization efforts, Cook County
Arts will work with LISC to distribute $2.3 million through a Creative Placemaking cohort-based learning and advising
program that culminates with implementation grants between $50,000 and $250,000; and
• Strategic Visioning Process - Arts Alliance Illinois will conduct a participatory needs assessment that informs a set of
recommendations on ways for the Bureau of Economic to help strengthen the suburban arts sector long term
Public Facing Website
http://www.cookcountyarts.org
Use of Evidence
Cook County Arts aims to improve nancial stability for artists and nonprot arts organizations and strengthen suburban
communities through investments in the arts and culture projects.
Name of Study Source Study Description Study Type
Getting Beyond Breakeven:
A Review of Capitalization
Needs and Challenges of
Philadelphia-Area Arts and
Culture Organizations
The Pew Charitable
Trust and the
William Penn
Foundation
This study is the result of research and analysis of the
nancial health and nancial literacy of 158 arts and
culture organizations located in the Greater Philadelphia
region. The study emphasizes the importance of liquid
unrestricted net assets to the healthy functioning of arts
and cultural organizations.
Non-Experimental
Navigating Recovery: Arts
and Culture Financial and
Operating Trends in Chicago
Chicago
Department of
Cultural Affairs
This report analyzes 86 Chicago-based arts and cultural
organizations and shows why many organizations are
experiencing crisis now: dwindling ticket sales, increased
costs, and private donations that failed to keep pace
with ination. It nds that governmental funding was
essential to rebuilding levels of working capital.
Non-Experimental
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
66
NT830 Cook County Arts and Artists Program, cont'd.
Lost Art: Measuring COVID-
19's Devastating Impact on
America's Creative Economy
The Brookings
Institute
This research report uses industry data to estimate
the long-term effects of the COVID-19 crisis on the
creative economy. For artists and creative occupations,
researchers estimated losses of more than 2.3 million
jobs and $73 billion in average monthly earnings for
creative occupations, with the ne and performing
arts disproportionally affected. They found that local
government interventions in support of independent
artists and small nonprots were essential to protecting
the health of this sector.
Non-Experimental
Creative Placemaking: A White
Paper for the Mayors' Institute
on City Design
National
Endowment for the
Arts
Foundational research report establishing Creative
Placemaking as an effective strategy to shape the
physical and social character of a neighborhood, town,
city, or region around arts and cultural activities. Drawing
on two decades of case studies and economic research,
researchers found that the integration of arts and culture
into broader livability and economic development
outcomes held great potential for improving community
life.
Non-Experimental
Performance Report
Program-specic Metrics
# of applicants submitted by suburban art organizations 175
# of events and webinars 4
# of event and webinar attendees 159
# of Outreach Emails sent by the Cook County Arts email address related to
the Nonprot Relief Grants program
8
# of social media impressions across channels (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram,
Twitter)
4,014
# of visitors to website 6,949
# of service tickets submitted to the help desk 134
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
67
NT106 Advancing Equitable Recovery in the Southland –
Southland Metals Hub
Policy Pillar: Vital Communities
Department: Bureau of Economic Development
Project Identication Number: 64879
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $924,990
FY24 Funding Amount: $222,035
Project Term: 2022-2024
Project Expenditure Category: 2.30 Technical Assistance, Counseling, or Business Planning*^
Project Overview
The Southland Metals Hub will develop the region’s cluster of small and medium-sized metals, machinery, and equipment
(MM&E) rms. The Metals Hub will help rms recover from disruption to supply chains caused by the pandemic, using
existing strengths and capacity to bolster productivity. Resource combination will include market research, inter-company
cooperation, and networking, collaboration for market penetration, technology acquisition, and economies of scale
development. Outreach to potential members will include a focus on BIPOC/women-owned enterprises and businesses
located in communities composed of those most disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
Southland Development Authority (SDA, the subrecipient for the program, will promote Metals Hub members at
manufacturing events and tradeshows that might otherwise be cost prohibitive and help connect them with other
manufacturing support focused organizations. The Metals Hub was able to pursue additional funding from the US
Department of Energy, which allowed Metals Hub members to hire 10 local interns.
Public Facing Website
https://southlanddevelopment.org/mme/
Use of Evidence
The Southland has experienced severe disinvestment in the last several decades, driving substantial increases in poverty
and unemployment. Despite the fact that Southland MM&E rms fared better than the Chicago region, the Southland
lost nearly 200 rms and 33% employment between 2009-2015. As of June 2020, the Southland’s poverty rate was
36.9% (national average is 31.0%) and unemployment was 21.6% (national average is 14.4%).
Though nearly half the Southland’s population is represented by people of color, business ownership by people of color
is under 10%. The Southland continues to have twice the MM&E density of the broader Chicago region (LQ of 2.03 and
1.02 respectively). But many of the Southland’s MM&E rms are small businesses, lacking the resources necessary to
scale, and their supply chains have been disrupted due to COVID-19. About 25% of Southland MM&E businesses have
less than 5 employees – and most (80%) have less than 50 employees.
While there is a demonstrated necessity to invest in manufacturing capabilities, the personalized nature of the assistance
results in no clear evidence basis.
Sources: SSEGI Phase 1 Report and SDA Metals Hub Concept Paper
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
68
NT106 Advancing Equitable Recovery in the Southland –
Southland Metals Hub, cont’d.
Performance Report
Treasury-required Metrics
# of small businesses served 30
Program-specic Metrics
# of events (trade shows, trade missions, etc.) 8
# of manufacturing members that experienced increased sales as a result of
the Metals Hub
5
# of manufacturing members that received requests for quote (RFQ) 13
# of Metals Hub group meetings/networking events 2
# of new manufacturing MOU members 25
# of new OEM MOU members 8
# of purchase orders (POs) received by Metals Hub manufacturing members in
response to the Metals Hub RFQs
1
# of site assessments conducted during the month 26
# of valid requests for quote (RFQ) received by the Metals Hub 19
# of visits and meeting with prospective non-manufacturing and OEM
members
5
# of visits and meetings with manufacturing members 143
# of visits and meetings with prospective manufacturing members 5
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
69
NT117 Fixed-Site Emergency Shelter for People Experiencing Homelessness
Policy Pillar: Vital Communities
Department: Bureau of Economic Development
Project Identication Number: 66737
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $14,210,164
FY24 Funding Amount: $700,275
Project Term: 2022-2024
Project Expenditure Category: 2.16 Long-term Housing Security: Services for Unhoused Persons*^
Project Overview
The Bureau of Economic Development will support organizations within the Cook County Continuum of Care to purchase
and stand up xed-site shelters to provide health and safety to people in a housing crisis who cannot be diverted from
homelessness. These organizations will also provide shelter services to ensure their experience of homelessness is short
by reconnecting them to housing and other supports. Furthermore, the program will support returning residents and
justice-involved individuals who are housing insecure or unhoused to provide the security necessary to connect these
individuals to stable and permanent housing thus helping to reduce recidivism. This program is linked to NT120 and
seeks to provide long-term shelter locations, building on the success of the short-term hotel program.
Use of Evidence
The goals of the program are to decrease reliance on temporary hotel-based shelter in use during the pandemic, support
ve or more xed site shelters in various stages of development, and to create or launch development of xed-site
shelters to serve 200 persons experiencing homelessness.
Evidence-base Determination: Moderate evidence base
Name of Study Source Study Description Study Type
Breaking the cycle of
homelessness: Housing
stability and social
support as predictors of
long-term well being
Housing
Studies
This study examined the role of secure housing and
social support as predictors of psychological well-being
of individuals following a period of homelessness. They
found that remaining homeless predicted poorer well-
being, life satisfaction and mood, while changes in social
support predicted well-being over and above housing
stability.
Non-Experimental
Homelessness and
Health
Canadian Medical
Association Journal
This article found that people experiencing
homelessness are at increased risk of dying prematurely
and suffer from a wide range of health problems,
including seizures, chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease, musculoskeletal disorders, tuberculosis,
and skin and foot problems. People experiencing
homelessness also face signicant barriers that impair
their access to health care.
Non-Experimental
Impact of a New York
City Supportive Housing
Program on Housing Stability
and Preventable Health
Care among Homeless
Families
Health
Services
Research
This article assessed the impact of a New York City
supportive housing program on housing stability and
preventable emergency department visits. They found
that 87% of supportive housing tenants experiences
housing stability in 2 years post baseline.
Non-Experimental
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
70
NT117 Fixed-Site Emergency Shelter for People Experiencing Homelessness, cont’d.
Performance Report
Treasury-required Metrics
# of households/individuals served (by program if recipient establishes
multiple separate household assistance programs)
74
Program-specic Metrics
# of individuals sheltered 693
# of Children under 18 years old sheltered 139
# of individuals connected to wraparound services 693
# of total individuals who exit the shelter 86
# of individuals who exit to permanent destinations 59
# of individuals who exit to temporary destinations 17
# of individuals who exit to institutional destinations 2
# of other exits 8
# of beds available 16
# of single units nished 28
# of multi-family units nished 12
Average length of stay in days 175
# of shelter nights provided 18,921
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
71
NT120 Hotel-Based Sheltering
Policy Pillar: Vital Communities
Department: Bureau of Economic Development
Project Identication Number: 60437
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $12,350,021
FY24 Funding Amount: $1,709,676
Project Term: 2021-2024
Project Expenditure Category: 2.16 Long-term Housing Security: Services for Unhoused Persons*^
Project Overview
ARPA funding is being leveraged to support agencies providing shelter and related services to protect the high- risk
homeless population during the pandemic. The prior model of rotating church-based shelter sites was never adequate,
and that congregate, and volunteer-driven approach was not viable during the pandemic. As a result, shelter provision
had to shift to a model largely provided via hotels. The main shelter agencies serving suburban Cook County continue to
provide thousands of shelter nights per month.
Use of Evidence
Supportive services will aim to shorten their experience of homelessness by reconnecting them to housing and other
supports. Hotel sheltering will decrease over time as the transition to new permanent shelters or other shelter options
takes place. Partners include the six main shelter agencies in suburban Cook County: BEDS Plus, Connections for the
Homeless, Housing Forward, JOURNEYS, Respond Now, and South Suburban PADS.
Evidence-base Determination: Moderate evidence base
Name of Study Source Study Description Study Type
Model Transitions (Housing
and Urban Development), 2021
U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban
Development
(HUD), and Federal
Emergency
Management
Agency (FEMA)
Federal guidance on successful transitionary services
to supplement non-congregate housing strategies for
people experiencing homelessness, including numerous
strategies employed by this program (e.g., need-
based prioritization, incorporation of race equity, and
connection to wraparound services).
Non-Experimental
Interim Guidance for Homeless
Service Providers to Plan
and Respond to Coronavirus
Disease (CDC, 2019)
Centers for Disease
Control and
Prevention
Federal guidance documenting the efcacy of non-
congregate sheltering for addressing the needs of
homeless individuals amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Non-Experimental
Comparison of infection control
strategies to reduce COVID-19
outbreaks in homeless
shelters in the United States: a
simulation study (UCSF, 2020)
BMC Medicine Working paper from researchers at the University
of California at San Francisco nds that in high-risk
homeless shelter environments, a combination of
intensive infection control strategies is unlikely to
prevent COVID-19 outbreaks. The authors evaluate daily
symptom screening, twice-weekly testing of all residents
or just staff, universal mask wearing, and relocation of
high-risk individuals. Using all these measures gives
shelters only an 8% chance of averting an outbreak
when the virus is highly infectious and spreads quickly.
The authors argue that these ndings show the need for
continued non-congregate housing arrangements for
people experiencing homelessness.
Non-Experimental
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
72
NT120 Hotel-Based Sheltering, cont’d.
Performance Report
Treasury-required Metrics
# of households/individuals served (by program if recipient establishes
multiple separate household assistance programs)
1,110
Program-specic Metrics
# of exits into permanent housing and xed-site shelters 383
# of people receiving health care or social service support 6,130
# of people receiving meals 6,134
# of people/households served (provided shelter) 5,905
# of shelter nights provided 167,338
Average % of exits into permanent housing and xed-site shelters 70
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
73
NT900 Investing in Families and Youth
Policy Pillar: Vital Communities
Department: Bureau of Economic Development
Project Identication Number: 63519
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $14,996,871
FY24 Funding Amount: $5,687,351
Project Term: 2022-2026
Project Expenditure Category: 2.10 Assistance to Unemployed or Underemployed Workers (e.g. job training,
subsidized employment, employment supports or incentives)*^
Project Overview
Cook County will provide support to workforce and training programs that offer youth and adults quality paid work
experiences to explore career pathways in target sectors. The County will also support the expansion of workforce
development programs that serve hard to engage populations including people with unstable housing, people with
disabilities, and returning residents. Program resources will support residents of suburban Cook County, promote
economic mobility, community stability, and increase capacity of community-based organizations.
Use of Evidence
The goals are to implement youth and summer youth internships, facilitate reentry programming, and to offer service
navigation for people with disabilities.
Evidence-base Determination: Strong evidence base
Name of Study Source Study Description Study Type
Laying a Foundation:
Four-Year Results from
the National Youth
Build Evaluation
MDRC This study evaluated Youth Build, a program that
provides hands-on vocational training for low-income
young people, with a randomized controlled trial. The
evaluation included 75 programs across the country and
4,000 participants. They found that 32.9% of participants
enrolled in vocational school, compared to 21.7% in
the control group. Participants also were more likely to
report having a job and they earned higher wages.
Experimental
Allegheny County Jail-
Based Reentry Specialist
Program
National Institute
of Justice
This was a two-phased program that rst provided
inmates with in-jail programming and then provided
them with up to 12 months of supportive services in the
community upon release. They found that participants
had a 10% change of rearrest, compared with a 34%
chance for the comparison group.
Non-Experimental
Bridging the
Opportunity Divide for
Low-Income Youth:
Implementation and
Early Impacts of the
Year Up Program
Pathways for
Advancing Careers
and Education
Year Up provides six months of occupational and
technical training in information technology and nancial
service sectors followed by a six-month internship to
students. 57% of the control group pursued training
compared to 96% of the treatment group. Year Up also
increased average quarterly earnings by $1,895 or 53%.
Experimental
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
74
NT900 Investing in Families and Youth, cont’d.
Performance Report
Treasury-required Metrics
# of households/individuals served (by program if recipient establishes
multiple separate household assistance programs)
12,086
# of workers enrolled in sectoral job training programs 383
# of workers completing sectoral job training programs 287
# of people participating in summer youth employment programs 409
Program-specic Metrics
Opportunity Summer: # of participants enrolled in summer youth programming 415
Opportunity Summer:# of participants enrolled in summer youth internships
that attain a paid internship
409
Opportunity Summer: # of participants that complete summer youth internship 378
Opportunity Summer:# of employers that host youth for summer youth
internships
83
Opportunity Works: # of participants enrolled in the program 341
Opportunity Works: # of participants that attain a paid internship 307
Opportunity Works: # of participants that complete sector-focused internship 247
Opportunity Works: # of participants in sector-focused internships that transition
to unsubsidized employment, or workforce, or education/training program
253
The Road Home: # of participants who have been enrolled in employment
services
179
The Road Home: # of participants who have been enrolled in occupation
training
83
The Road Home: # of participants who have been enrolled in occupation
training that receive an Industry Recognized Credential
43
The Road Home: # of participants who start an internship 76
The Road Home: # of participants who complete internship 40
The Road Home: # of participants who have been enrolled in employment
services that transition to post-secondary education, long-term training, or
unsubsidized employment
66
# of hiring events or workshops 169
# of individuals who attended hiring events or workshops 8,941
# of new customers 1,181
# of total engaged customers 576
# of new engaged customers 359
# of total customers who receive service referrals 1,048
# of new customers who receive service referrals 177
# of hiring events 18
# of registered participants for hiring events 5,571
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
75
NT900 Investing in Families and Youth, cont’d.
# of registered employers for the hiring events 534
# of participants who attend hiring events 2,210
# of initial interviews conducted 938
# of conditional offers, second interviews, or offers resulting from the hiring
events
316
# of participants employed 30 days after the hiring event 99
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
76
NT125 Community Conservation Corps
Policy Pillar: Vital Communities
Department: Bureau of Economic Development
Project Identication Number: 62219
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $3,875,000
FY24 Funding Amount: $2,059,471
Project Term: 2022-2024
Project Expenditure Category: 2.10 Assistance to Unemployed or Underemployed Workers (e.g. job training,
subsidized employment, employment supports or incentives)*^
Project Overview
The Cook County Bureau of Economic Development will partner with the Forest Preserves of Cook County (FPCC) to
engage youth and adults in a meaningful hands-on conservation job training program that will improve the ecological
health of at least 3,000 acres of public open land. A major portion of the program beneciaries will reside within qualied
census tracts and/or live below the federal poverty line in Suburban Cook County. Participants will gain basic job skills,
industry- recognized certications, technical expertise, professional networks, and soft skills that are desirable to future
employers in green industries. Most corps participants will be people of color who reside in communities that have
suffered disproportionately from decades of disinvestment and chronic high unemployment that have been further
exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Use of Evidence
The goals are to promote the program to youth and adults from disadvantaged communities and to ensure participants
have marketable skills upon conclusion.
Evidence-base Determination: Moderate evidence base
Name of Study Source Study Description Study Type
Impacts of service: Final
report on the evaluation
of American Conservation
and Youth Service Corps
Clearinghouse for
Labor Evaluation
and Research
This study looked at the impacts of eight Conservation
and Youth Services Crops program that sought to
improve educational and employment outcomes for
out-of-school youth. They found a statistically signicant,
positive impact on the likelihood of having worked for
pay since program enrollment and working a larger
number of total hours since program enrollment.
Non-Experimental
Conservation Corp North Bay
Annual Report 2020-2021
Fiscal Year
Conservation Corp
North Bay website
The goal of Conservation Corps North Bay is to develop
youth and conserve natural resources. In 2020-2021
before starting the program 73% of their corps members
were unemployed, 55% had not yet earned their high
school degree, and 99% came from a low-income
background. After the program 76% continued in jobs
or education, and their average wages were $18.46 an
hour. That year they also collected 6,900 mattresses to
recycle, restored 213 acres of natural habitat, restored,
and maintained 109 miles of trails, and more.
Non-Experimental
National Job Corps Study and
Longer-Term Follow-Up Study:
Impact and Benet-Cost
Findings Using Survey and
Summary Earnings Records
Data
Mathematics Job Corps is the nation’s largest, most comprehensive
job training program for disadvantaged youths. It serves
people between the age of 16 and 24 and helps with
youth training and employment services. This study
found that Jobs Corps increased survey-based
earnings by 12% in the third and fourth years and
decreased criminal activity by about 16%.
Non-Experimental
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
77
NT125 Community Conservation Corps, cont’d.
Performance Report
Treasury-required Metrics
# of households/individuals served (by program if recipient establishes
multiple separate household assistance programs)
443
# of workers enrolled in sectoral job training programs 204
# of workers completing sectoral job training programs 75
# of people participating in summer youth employment programs 239
Program-specic Metrics
Greencorps: # of applicants 517
Greencorps: # of participants interviewed 417
Greencorps: # of informational session attendees 572
Greencorps: # of trainees hired 160
Greencorps: # of crew supervisors hired 32
Greencorps: # of trainees that return to the program as trainees 26
Greencorps: # of trainees that return to the program as crew supervisors 10
Greencorps: # of crew supervisors that return to the program 16
Greencorps: # of trainees that leave the program before completion 53
Greencorps: # of trainees graduated from the program 50
Greencorps: # of crew supervisors that complete the program 20
Greencorps: # of participants that complete certications 302
Greencorps: # of certications completed by participants 330
Greencorps: # of conservation service hours contributed by program
participants
16,913
Greencorps: # of training and environmental education hours contributed by
program participants
10,890
SCA Gap Year: # of crew member applicants 134
SCA Gap Year: # of crew leader applicants 68
SCA Gap Year: # of participants interviewed 61
SCA Gap Year: # of crew members hired 8
SCA Gap Year: # of crew leaders hired 4
SCA Gap Year: # of returning crew members that participate in program 1
SCA Gap Year: # of crew members that complete the program 3
SCA Gap Year: # of crew leaders that complete the program 2
SCA Gap Year: # of crew members that leave the program before completion 2
SCA Gap Year: # of participants that complete certications 13
SCA Gap Year: # of certications completed by participants 38
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
78
NT125 Community Conservation Corps, cont’d.
SCA Gap Year: # of conservation service hours contributed by program
participants
3,434
SCA Gap Year: # of training and environmental education hours contributed
by program participants
1,461
Forest Preserve Experience Program: # of applicants 922
Forest Preserve Experience Program: # of participants interviewed 396
Forest Preserve Experience Program: # of crew leaders and program assistants
hired
34
Forest Preserve Experience Program: # of crew members hired 190
Forest Preserve Experience Program: # of assistant crew leaders hired 15
Forest Preserve Experience Program: # of returning crew members 53
Forest Preserve Experience Program: # of returning assistant crew leaders 9
Forest Preserve Experience Program: # of returning crew leaders/program
assistants
10
Forest Preserve Experience Program: # of returning crew members turned
crew leaders/program assistants
1
Forest Preserve Experience Program: # of returning crew members turned
assistant crew leaders
14
Forest Preserve Experience Program: # of returning assistant crew leaders
turned crew leaders/program assistants
4
Forest Preserve Experience Program: # of crew members that leave the
program before completion
21
Forest Preserve Experience Program: # of assistant crew leaders that leave the
program before completion
1
Forest Preserve Experience Program: # of crew leaders/program assistants that
leave the program before completion
1
Forest Preserve Experience Program: # of crew members that graduate 169
Forest Preserve Experience Program: # of assistant crew leaders that complete
the program
14
Forest Preserve Experience Program: # of crew leaders and program assistants
that complete the program
30
Forest Preserve Experience Program: # of conservation service hours
contributed by program participants
5,652
Forest Preserve Experience Program: # of training and environmental
education hours contributed by program participants
17,605
CCLC/SCA: # of applicants 156
CCLC/SCA: # of crew members hired 14
CCLC/SCA: # of crew leaders hired 5
CCLC/SCA: # of crew members graduated from program 12
CCLC/SCA: # of crew leaders that complete the program 5
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
79
NT125 Community Conservation Corps, cont’d.
CCLC/SCA: # of conservation service hours contributed by program
participants
1,260
CCLC/SCA: # of training and environmental education hours contributed by
program participants
420
FOFP Adult Program: # of applicants 37
FOFP Adult Program: # of adult participants hired 17
FOFP Adult Program: # of participants that complete the program 17
FOFP Adult Program: # of conservation service hours contributed by program
participants
10,156
FOFP Adult Program: # of training and environmental education hours
contributed by program participants
765
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
80
Cook County Early Warning Network
Policy Pillar: Vital Communities
Department: Bureau of Economic Development
Project Identication Number: 60824
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $131,643
FY24 Funding Amount: $0
Project Term: 2021-2022
Project Expenditure Category: 2.36 Aid to Other Impacted Industries^
Project Overview
Cook County Early Warning program identied Cook County companies facing challenges as a result of COVID-19. The
program provided expertise to distressed manufacturing SMEs by providing them turnaround and renance services at
no cost. Early Warning Services help businesses identify, evaluate, and address the immediate issues that threaten their
livelihood and minimize the possibility of layoffs.
Performance Report
This project, funding former CRF programming, was limited in duration and budget. It has no required performance
indicators.
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
81
TR005 Transforming Places
Policy Pillar: Vital Communities
Department: Bureau of Economic Development
Project Identication Number: 64464
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $500,000
FY24 Funding Amount: $140,624
Project Term: 2022-2026
Project Expenditure Category: 3.4 Public Sector Capacity: Effective Service Delivery
Project Overview
Coordinated through the Bureau of Economic Development and the Equity Fund Taskforce, Cook County, in partnership
with United Way of Metro Chicago, identied high vulnerability communities and co-designed ve Neighborhood
Networks in suburban Cook County to meet community-dened needs for economic development, community building,
community safety, public health, education, and social services. In 2023, networks were established in Chicago Heights/
Ford Heights, Harvey, and Park Forest/Richton Park and the existing network in Blue Island/Robbins was expanded. A
new network in Summit launched in early 2024. The County will support communities over a sustained period to ensure
implementation and capacity-building, as well as helping attract additional public, private, and philanthropic resources.
This place-based approach will be a paradigm shift for the County and will be community-driven and community-led.
This program is also supported by the County’s Equity Fund, which is funding the majority of the network costs.
Performance Report
This program is still in development and metrics will be reported in future reports. The following represent proposed
measures for Transforming Places with the intended outcome of helping local residents and businesses implement their
priorities on issues from reinvestment to education to social services:
• Community members participating in Neighborhood Network during planning and implementation phases
• Capacity building activities
• New philanthropic engagements/connections
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
82
NT093 Emergency Mortgage Assistance
Policy Pillar: Vital Communities
Department: Bureau of Economic Development
Project Identication Number: 66514
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $15,281,000
FY24 Funding Amount: $6,301,392
Project Term: 2023-2026
Project Expenditure Category: 2.2 Household Assistance: Rent, Mortgage, and Utility Aid*^
Project Overview
The Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program is comprised of two parts, Manufactured Housing and Down Payment
Assistance. The Manufacturing Housing Production will supply a source of funding for ordering of the homes, site
development and construction of the homesites. Utilizing a portion of the proceeds sales to subsidize the home prices
to promote both affordability and development impact, the creation of multiple new home sites across the County,
development could produce up to 250 to 400 homes. The Down Payment Assistance Program will allow a 3-5%
incentive towards the purchase price of a single-family home. The goal is to establish reasonable pricing for ongoing
downpayment assistance loans such that buyers will be able to participate in home purchases, stabilizing their long-term
housing options and cost structure. Primary lending areas will be the Qualied Census Tracts (QCT) under HUD and the
Disproportionately Impacted Areas (DIA) under the State of Illinois.
Use of Evidence
The goals are to redirect mortgage debt, redirect participants to alternative housing services, and to mediate legal cases.
Evidence-base Determination: Moderate evidence base
Name of Study Source Study Description Study Type
A Case-Control Study of
Home Foreclosure,
Health Conditions, and
Health Care Utilization
Journal of
Urban Health
This article performed a case-control study using data
on homeowners who received a home foreclosure
notice from 2005 and 2008 in Philadelphia. They found
that two years prior to the foreclosure, participants were
more likely to visit the emergency department, have an
outpatient visit, and have a no-show appointment. Six
months after the foreclose, participants were less likely
to have a primary care physician.
Non-Experimental
Does Temporary Mortgage
Assistance for Unemployed
Homeowners Reduce
Longer-Term Mortgage
Default? An Analysis of the
hardest hit Fund Program
Journal of
Policy Analysis
and Management
This paper uses data from the U.S. Department of the
Treasury’s Hardest Hit Fund to analyze longer-term
effects of temporary mortgage payment subsidies. They
found that receiving subsidies led to a 40% reduction
in the probability of mortgage default and foreclosure
through four years post assistance.
Non-Experimental
What Can We Learn from New
State and Local Assistance
Programs for Renters
Affected by COVID-19
Urban Institute This study identied 43 local and state assistance
programs. They found that there were four properties of
successful programs: they leverage existing programs
with adaptive capacity, the maximize exibility, they
focus on populations with the greatest unmet need, and
they manage current resources while pushing for more
money.
Non-Experimental
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
83
NT093 Emergency Mortgage Assistance, cont’d.
Performance Report
This program is still in development and metrics will be reported in future reports. The following represent proposed
measures for Emergency Mortgage Assistance with the intended outcome of providing direct assistance to applicants
in need of emergency mortgage assistance who were negatively impacted either due to or during the coronavirus
pandemic:
• Applications submitted
• Average amount of dollars disbursed per approved application
• Counseling sessions provided by community partner organizations to applicants
Mandatory Performance Indicators:
Per reporting guidelines, projects in expenditure categories 2.2 must include the following metrics:
• Number of households receiving eviction prevention services (including legal representation)
• Number of affordable housing units preserved or developed
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
84
NT095 Permanent Supportive Housing for People Experiencing Homelessness
Policy Pillar: Vital Communities
Department: Bureau of Economic Development
Project Identication Number: 65937
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $10,207,149
FY24 Funding Amount: $9,434,514
Project Term: 2023-2026
Project Expenditure Category: 2.16 Long-term Housing Security: Services for Unhoused Persons*^
Project Overview
Cook County will create 125 new units of permanent supportive housing, a nationally recognized best practice for
ending homelessness. Permanent supportive housing is a housing model that pairs non-time-limited rental subsidies with
individualized, intensive, and supportive services to help households maintain independent living and housing stability.
Use of Evidence
The goals are to develop additional affordable housing units, assist those in the target income/demographic, and the
direct others to housing services.
Name of Study Source Study Description Study Type
Housing First for Long-
Term Shelter Dwellers with
Psychiatric Disabilities in a
Suburban County: A Four-Year
Study of Housing Access and
Retention
The Journal of
Primary Prevention
This was a randomized controlled experiment where
the treatment group were assigned to a shelter that
used the Housing First Model and the control group
was assigned to a shelter that did not use this model.
Over four years, the Housing First’s retention rate was
just below 80%, which is signicant considering the
sample’s chronic homelessness and high rates of shelter
recidivism. Members of the control group continued
to cycle in and out of the system, while those in the
treatment group the average number of returns to the
shelter was 3.6 with an average length of those returns
lasting 13.3 nights.
Experimental
Permanent Supportive Housing
with Housing First to Reduce
Homelessness and Promote
Health among Homeless
Population with Disability: A
Community Guide Systematic
Review
National Library of
Medicine
This study analyzed the results from 26 studies in the
United States and Canada. They found that housing
rst programs, compared to treatment rst programs,
decreased homelessness by 88% and improved housing
stability by 41%. For clients living with HIV, housing rst
programs reduced homelessness by 37%, viral load by
22%, depression by 13%, emergency department use by
41%, hospitalization by 36%, and mortality by 37%
Non-Experimental
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
85
NT095 Permanent Supportive Housing for People Experiencing Homelessness,
cont'd.
Performance Report
This program is still in development and metrics will be reported in future reports. The following represent proposed
measures for Permanent Supportive Housing for People Experiencing Homelessness with the intended outcome of
providing additional permanent housing units for those experiencing homelessness or on the precipice of experiencing
homelessness:
• Housing units created
• Total development costs of units created
Mandatory Performance Indicators:
Per reporting guidelines, projects in expenditure categories 2.16 must include the following metrics:
• Number of households receiving eviction prevention services (including legal representation)
• Number of affordable housing units preserved or developed
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
86
TR008 Community Information Exchange
Policy Pillar: Vital Communities
Department: Bureau of Economic Development
Project Identication Number: 67164
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $9,500,000
FY24 Funding Amount: $2,991,604
Project Term: 2022-2026
Project Expenditure Category: 3.4 Public Sector Capacity: Effective Service Delivery
Project Overview
Cook County will support the development of a Community Information Exchange (CIE) for suburban Cook County and
the City of Chicago to enhance the 211 resource referral system developed by Cook County, the City of Chicago and
a range of partners. The CIE is an interconnected and linked network of health, behavioral health, human, and social
service providers that share information and coordinate services so that an individual receives the whole person care they
need to be healthy and thrive, regardless of how they initially enter services, creating a “no wrong door” access to the
social and health services system. Having a CIE will transform systems of care in Cook County by reducing or eliminating
the signicant barriers created when individuals, families and organizations need to navigate many systems to access
care and services and endlessly repeat processes like intake, record-transfers, and referrals because systems cannot
communicate.
Public Facing Website
Regionwide CIE website: https://www.chicagoregionwidecie.org/
Performance Report
Program-specic Metrics
# of education workshops held 16
# of organizations participating in pilot planning working group 19
Service area of organizations participating in education workshops - Chicago 199
Service area of organizations participating in education workshops - Suburban
Cook (All)
48
Service area of organizations participating in education workshops - Suburban
Cook (North)
32
Service area of organizations participating in education workshops - Suburban
Cook (Outside Cook County)
2
Service area of organizations participating in education workshops - Suburban
Cook (South)
17
Service area of organizations participating in education workshops - Suburban
Cook (Southwest)
3
Service area of organizations participating in education workshops - Suburban
Cook (West)
8
Service area of organizations participating in pilot planning working group -
Chicago
17
Service area of organizations participating in pilot planning working group -
Suburban Cook (All)
14
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
87
TR008 Community Information Exchange, cont’d.
Service area of organizations participating in pilot planning working group -
Suburban Cook (North)
2
Types of services provided by organizations participating in education
workshops - Community resident/stakeholder not afliated with an organization
22
Types of services provided by organizations participating in education
workshops - Domestic/Interpersonal Violence Services
2
Types of services provided by organizations participating in education
workshops - Emergency shelter services for people experiencing homelessness
39
Types of services provided by organizations participating in education
workshops - Food access/assistance
4
Types of services provided by organizations participating in education
workshops - Health Infomatics/IT
4
Types of services provided by organizations participating in education
workshops - Healthcare for people experiencing homelessness
24
Types of services provided by organizations participating in education
workshops - Legal Services
5
Types of services provided by organizations participating in education
workshops - Mental/behavioral health services
8
Types of services provided by organizations participating in education
workshops - Other
48
Types of services provided by organizations participating in education
workshops - Outreach to people experiencing homelessness
3
Types of services provided by organizations participating in education
workshops - Philanthropy
2
Types of services provided by organizations participating in education
workshops - Policy and advocacy
7
Types of services provided by organizations participating in education
workshops - Primary healthcare services
33
Types of services provided by organizations participating in education
workshops - Respite Care
15
Types of services provided by organizations participating in education
workshops - Substance use services
4
Types of services provided by organizations participating in education
workshops - Supportive housing services
71
Types of services provided by organizations participating in education
workshops - Youth services
7
Types of services provided by organizations participating in pilot planning
working group - Emergency shelter services for people experiencing
homelessness
6
Types of services provided by organizations participating in pilot planning
working group - Healthcare for people experiencing homelessness
2
Types of services provided by organizations participating in pilot planning
working group - Mental/behavioral health services
2
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
88
TR008 Community Information Exchange, cont’d.
Types of services provided by organizations participating in pilot planning
working group - Other
2
Types of services provided by organizations participating in pilot planning
working group - Outreach to people experiencing homelessness
6
Types of services provided by organizations participating in pilot planning
working group - Philanthropy
1
Types of services provided by organizations participating in pilot planning
working group - Primary healthcare services
4
Types of services provided by organizations participating in pilot planning
working group - Respite Care
2
Types of services provided by organizations participating in pilot planning
working group - Supportive housing services
4
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
89
NT123 Supporting Apprenticeships in Suburban
Policy Pillar: Vital Communities
Department: Bureau of Economic Development
Project Identication Number: 67725
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $809,999
FY24 Funding Amount: $367,500
Project Term: 2024-2026
Project Expenditure Category: 2.37 Economic Impact Assistance: Other
Project Overview
Cook County established the Manufacturing Apprenticeship Accelerator program to address the biggest hurdle
manufacturers face- hiring and retaining talent. Cook County has prioritized strengthening the manufacturing sector
given the number and quality of jobs, role in the regional economy, and the nation. Most manufacturers report that
their biggest challenge is the difculty they have in nding the talent to meet their needs. Apprenticeships are widely
recognized as an excellent model to attract, retain, and retrain their workforce. Numerous studies have conrmed that
employers experience an improved pipeline of skilled employees, increased productivity, reduced turnover and higher
employee engagement using an “earn and learn” model.
The Manufacturing Apprenticeship Accelerator will provide Cook County manufacturers with a skilled talent pipeline who
are committed to developing and implementing programs with all the following elements:
• An "earn and learn" model;
• On-the-job training plan or curriculum;
• Leads to industry-recognized credentials; and
• Salary increases.
Use of Evidence
Name of Study Source Study Description Study Type
Beyond Productivity: How
Employers Gain More from
Apprenticeship Findings from
the American Apprenticeship
Initiative Evaluation
U.S. Department of
Labor
In a 2022 evaluation of the U.S. Department of Labor's
American Apprenticeship Initiative, employers cited
numerous benets of utilizing the "earn and learn" model
of apprenticeships. Employers reported an improved
pipeline of skilled employees, increased productivity,
reduced turnover and higher employee engagement.
The Manufacturing Apprenticeship Accelerator will
provide Cook County manufacturers with a talent
pipeline while apprentices receive on the job training,
mentoring and industry recognized credentials.
Non-Experimental
Performance Report
Treasure-required Metrics
# of households/individuals served (by program if recipient establishes
multiple separate household assistance programs)
4
Program-specic Metrics
# of manufacturers engaged through outreach conducted by BED 3
# of potential candidates that complete the apprentice interest form 57
# of potential manufacturers that complete the business interest form 1
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
90
NT123 Supporting Apprenticeships in Suburban, cont'd.
Performance Report
Treasure-required Metrics
# of households/individuals served (by program if recipient establishes
multiple separate household assistance programs)
4
Program-specic Metrics
# of manufacturers engaged through outreach conducted by BED 3
# of potential candidates that complete the apprentice interest form 57
# of potential manufacturers that complete the business interest form 1
SAFE &
THRIVING
COMMUNITIES
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
92
NT897 Violence Prevention Portfolio
Policy Pillar: Safe & Thriving Communities
Department: Justice Advisory Council
Project Identication Number: 62642
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $85,000,000
FY24 Funding Amount: $41,535,173
Project Term: 2022-2026
Project Expenditure Category: 1.11 Community Violence Interventions*^
Project Overview
The Justice Advisory Council (JAC) will expand funding for community-based services supporting residents at high risk of
experiencing gun violence as either a victim or perpetrator, particularly in communities with the highest rates of shooting
incidents and gun-related homicides in Chicago and Suburban Cook County. These resources build upon the existing
JAC grants portfolio and are complementary with similar investments made by the State of Illinois, City of Chicago, and
philanthropy. The strategies implemented by partner organizations under the initiative include: Community Violence
Intervention (CVI) or street outreach, victim services, hospital-based services, case management, and prevention and
support services such as youth programming and vocational and employment support. JAC conducted an equitable and
community-focused grant application process that included a series of virtual information sessions and capacity building
workshops designed to support community organizations in developing compelling grant proposals and programs.
Public Facing Website
https://www.cookcountyil.gov/JACGrants
Use of Evidence
The goals are to reduce the number of shooting incidents and improve the outlook and disposition of individual
participants relative to involvement with gun violence.
Evidence-base Determination: Strong evidence base
Name of Study Source Study Description Study Type
The Effects of Cure Violence in
The South Bronx and East New
York, Brooklyn
John Jay College
of Criminal Justice
New York City launched its rst Cure Violence program
which uses community outreach to interrupt violence.
This report evaluates two programs – Man Up! Inc.
in Brooklyn and Save Our Street South Bronx. When
compared with similar areas in New York, gun violence
rates declined signicantly in the two neighborhoods.
In Brooklyn, gun injuries declined by 50% and in South
Bronx shooting victimizations fell from 35 victims to 13
in the rst four years of the program. Finally, young men
in the neighborhoods with Cure Violence programs
reported declining support for violence as a means of
settling personal disputes
Non-Experimental
A Prospective Randomized
Controlled Trial of an
Interpersonal Violence
Prevention Program With a
Mexican American Community
National Library of
Medicine
Using methods of community-based participatory
research, a prospective randomized controlled trial
of a violence prevention program based on Latino
cultural values was implemented with elementary school
children in a Mexican American community. High risk
students who participated in the program 2 to 3 times
greater nonviolent self-efcacy than the control group.
Experimental
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
93
NT897 Violence Prevention Portfolio, cont’d.
Outcome Evaluation of
Advance Peace Sacramento,
2018-2019
Institute of Urban
and Regional
Development
This report evaluated the outcomes of the Advance
Peace Sacramento Program from 2018 to 2019. This
program enrolled 50 residents most impacted by gun
violence into an 18-month developmental, healing-
centered, individualized, mentorship and life coaching
program that is responsive to untreated trauma. The
program decreased the number of gun homicides by
10.1%, and a difference-in-difference model revealed
that this was due to the program. Additionally, for
every $1 spent on Advance Peace, Sacramento saved
between $18 and $41 across emergency response,
health care, and law enforcement.
Non-Experimental
Furthermore, this program is intending on a program evaluation in partnership with a university.
Performance Report
Treasury-required Metrics
# of workers enrolled in sectoral job training programs 3,500
# of workers completing sectoral job training programs 1,295
# of people participating in summer youth employment programs 4,135
Program-specic Metrics
# of clients provided educational programming 24,598
Average # of hours of educational programming per client 8,226
# of clients provided legal assistance 3,272
Average # of hours of legal assistance provided per client 593
# of clients provided mentoring 27,085
Average # of hours of mentoring provided per client 6,460
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
94
NT715 Youth Juvenile Justice Collaborative Expansion
Policy Pillar: Safe & Thriving Communities
Department: Cook County Health (Hospital)
Project Identication Number: 64242
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $7,087,357
FY24 Funding Amount: $2,840,576
Project Term: 2022-2026
Project Expenditure Category: 1.11 Community Violence Interventions*^
Project Overview
This program aims to reduce violence and minimize justice involvement of youth who have experienced violence or
trauma or are at high risk of exposure to violence. Services include trauma-informed care coordination for 500 justice-
involved youth per year over three years. Care coordinators will match justice-involved youth with the appropriate
community-based services according to their individual goals identied in an intake and assessment process, with a goal
of minimizing future justice involvement for arrested youth. In addition to providing care coordination and direct services
for youth and their families, funds will support data tracking and analysis, continuous quality improvement, and the
development of an evaluation plan.
Use of Evidence
The goals of the project are to reduce violence and minimize justice involvement of youth who have experienced past
violence or trauma or are at increased risk of exposure to violence and to provide trauma-informed care coordination for
1,500 justice-involved youth, including youth on diversion or youth granted deferred prosecution.
Evidence-base Determination: Strong evidence base
Name of Study Source Study Description Study Type
Trauma-Informed
Interventions for At-Risk
and Justice-Involved
Youth: A Meta-Analysis
Criminal
Justice and
Behavior
This meta-analysis looked at the effectiveness of trauma-
informed treatment programs for justice-involved youth
and youth at risk of justice system involvement using 29
publications. They found that trauma-focused cognitive-
behavioral therapy was effective.
Non-Experimental
Even a Little Bit Helps:
An Implementation and
Experimental Evaluation
of Cognitive-Behavioral
Therapy for High-Risk
Probationers
Criminal Justice
and Behavior
This study used a randomized eld trial to evaluate the
“Choosing to Think, Thinking to Choose” cognitive
behavioral therapy program. High-risk probationers
were assigned to either intensive probation, or intensive
probation with a 14-week cognitive behavioral therapy
program. Those in the therapy program were
signicantly less likely to reoffend, although this effect is
concentrated in measures of nonviolent offending.
Experimental
Safe and Successful
Youth Initiative
National
Institute of
Justice
The Safe and Successful Youth Initiative (SSYI)
was a secondary violence prevention program in
Massachusetts that targeted young men most likely to
commit or be a victim of gang or gun violence to reduce
their incarceration and victimization from violent crimes.
One study found that participants in the program
were less likely to be incarcerated, and this difference
was statistically signicant.
Non-Experimental
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
95
NT715 Youth Juvenile Justice Collaborative Expansion, cont’d.
Mentoring programs to affect
delinquency and associated
outcomes of youth at risk: A
comprehensive meta- analytic
review
Journal of
Experimental
Criminology
This study conducted a meta-analysis on mentoring
interventions for effects for youth at risk on delinquency.
They found that the mean effect size was signicant
for aggression, drug use, and academic functioning,
showing mentoring has a signicant impact on
delinquency and associate outcomes.
Non-Experimental
Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago is conducting a program evaluation. Their preliminary results from 2018 to 2020
indicated the feasibility of this program. They will continue with their evaluation as the program continues.
Performance Report
Most updated metrics data for the program is being nalized and will be reported in future reports.
For Treasury-required metrics pertaining to sectoral job training, metrics data has not been recorded as it does not
t within the scope of our project deliverables for Juvenile Justice Collaborative (JJC) youth participants. For youth
employment-related metrics, while we anticipate some youth participants have been, or are involved in summer job
programs, we do not currently have metrics available regarding these placements. We are working with the subrecipient
for the program to track these placements and will update our reports with any relevant data as it becomes available.
The JJC does,however, provide an array of employment-related services for youth who are enrolled in the JJC. For
example, between June 2023 and May 2024, one in seven youth had an employment-related goal and received a service
referral or direct support from TASC towards achieving this goal. As the JJC aims to provide individualized services
based upon the strengths and needs of each unique youth, we note that not every youth that is enrolled in the program
will have a goal of gaining employment.
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
96
NT075 Healing Hurt People Chicago
Policy Pillar: Safe & Thriving Communities
Department: Cook County Health (Hospital)
Project Identication Number: 65712
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $4,533,527
FY24 Funding Amount: $815,750
Project Term: 2023-2026
Project Expenditure Category: 1.14 Other Public Health Services^
Project Overview
Healing Hurt People (HHP) is a trauma-informed violence intervention program for survivors of urban intentional violence.
HHP works to advance the notion that unaddressed psychological trauma is a key driver of the cycle of violence, fueled
by the structural violence of racism and stigma. HHP Chicago’s goals are to reduce re-injury, retaliation, and criminal
justice involvement by having a positive impact on trauma recovery, mental health, and drug use, and help participants
achieve independence, work, education, and create a strong future. The expansion of this program will allow the
program to serve participants in some of the hardest hit communities in the City of Chicago.
Performance Report
Program-specic Metrics
# of patients admitted to Trauma Unit identied as intentionally injured by
community violence
149
# of patients attending SELF ("Safety, Emotions, Loss & Future") peer support
groups
51
# of patients connected to HHP services 271
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
97
NT745 Gun Crime Strategy Unit
Policy Pillar: Safe & Thriving Communities
Department: State’s Attorney’s Ofce
Project Identication Number: 61442
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $2,467,907
FY24 Funding Amount: $1,881,986
Project Term: 2022-2024
Project Expenditure Category: 1.11 Community Violence Interventions*^
Project Overview
The Gun Crime Strategy Unit Initiative will support the State’s Attorney’s Ofce in expanding the Gun Crime Strategies
Unit (GCSU), adding investigators to the gun crime unit to work with prosecutors (state and federal, law enforcement
agencies, etc.) and other stakeholders to help ensure public safety in communities across Cook County. The Gun Crimes
Strategy Unit works with law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to help ensure public safety in communities
across Cook County. The program currently is embedded in six of the most violent police districts in Chicago to combat
the rise in violence and shooting within the City of Chicago while making societal improvements including assisting the
judicial process and building stronger relationship with the communities served. GCSU provides legal support to the
federal, state, and local initiative of the Crime Gun Intelligence Center and parolee forums organized by Project Safe
Neighborhoods.
Use of Evidence
The goals are to reduce gun violence to lead to safer communities, improve relationships in communities most severely
impacted by gun violence, and to improve coordination and collaboration with law enforcement agencies and prosecutor
ofces to enhance intelligence gathering and investigation.
Evidence-base Determination: Moderate evidence base
Name of Study Source Study Description Study Type
Oakland California Group
Violence Reduction Strategy
National Institute
of Justice
In 2012, the homicide rate in Oakland, California was
almost seven times the national rate. To combat this
the city developed a ceasere intervention strategy
which consisted of the police conducting a gang audit
to identify specic gangs causing violence. The police
then met with these identied gangs and informed them
that shootings would not be tolerated, there would
be increased enforcement, and they offered services
and opportunities for gang members to stop their
violent behavior. This resulted in a 20% decline in yearly
total shootings, with the difference being statistically
signicant.
Non-Experimental
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
98
NT745 Gun Crime Strategy Unit, cont’d.
Operation Ceasere,
National Boston Massachusetts
National Institute
of Justice
The program sought to reduce gang violence, illegal
gun possession, and gun violence in communities. To
accomplish this Boston focused it law enforcement
attention on the makes and calibers of guns that were
used by gang members and they attempted to restore
obliterated serial numbers. The program was associated
with the 25% decrease in the monthly number of
citywide gun assaults, and a 32% reduction in the
monthly number of citywide shots-red calls for service.
Non-Experimental
Indianapolis Violence
Reduction Partnership
National Institute
of Justice
This was a replication of the Project Ceasere that the
Boston Police Department conducted. This was carried
out by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department
in 1998. The program consisted of identifying the
key offenders and meeting with the offenders and
encouraging them to take advantage of community
services such as mentoring, employment, and housing.
Two years following the start of this program, monthly
homicides were reduced by 34.3%.
Non-Experimental
Performance Report
Program-specic Metrics
# of investigators hired 4
# of investigations conducted (i.e., SA &/or RD numbers) 112
# of victims interviewed 40
# of witnesses interviewed 67
# of community meetings held by State's Attorney's Ofce 39
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
99
NT085 Supporting Education and Employment Development (SEED)
Policy Pillar: Safe & Thriving Communities
Department: Justice Advisory Council
Project Identication Number: 65842
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $1,002,757
FY24 Funding Amount: $502,416
Project Term: 2024-2025
Project Expenditure Category: 1.11 Community Violence Interventions*^
Project Overview
The Justice Advisory Council will provide funds to sustain and expand the Supporting Education and Employment
Development (SEED) Program. This program is a 13-month pre-plea diversion program for individuals aged 18 to 30,
charged with possession with intent to deliver or manufacturing/delivery of a substance. The program will provide case
management, educational services, trauma-informed and cognitive-behavioral interventions, job readiness training, job
development and placement support employment, and restorative justice activities. The successful completion of the
program will result in case dismissal and expungement at graduation. Additionally, funds will be provided to perform a
program evaluation which will be utilized in the continuation and improvement of the program.
Use of Evidence
The goals are to divert eligible participants away from formal prosecution and incarceration, provide unemployed
and underemployed participants with support to nd and retain employment and advance their careers, and enroll
participants who are seeking education.
Evidence-base Determination: Strong evidence base
Name of Study Source Study Description Study Type
Trauma-Informed
Interventions for At-Risk
and Justice-Involved
Youth: A Meta-Analysis
Criminal
Justice and
Behavior
This meta-analysis looked at the effectiveness of trauma-
informed treatment programs for justice-involved youth
and youth at risk of justice system involvement using 29
publications. They found that trauma-focused cognitive-
behavioral therapy was effective.
Non-Experimental
Even a Little Bit Helps:
An Implementation and
Experimental Evaluation
of Cognitive-Behavioral
Therapy for High-Risk
Probationers
Criminal Justice
and Behavior
This study used a randomized eld trial to evaluate the
“Choosing to Think, Thinking to Choose” cognitive
behavioral therapy program. High-risk probationers
were assigned to either intensive probation, or
intensive probation with a 14-week cognitive behavioral
therapy program. Those in the therapy program were
signicantly less likely to reoffend, although this effect is
concentrated in measures of nonviolent offending.
Experimental
Safe and Successful
Youth Initiative
National
Institute of
Justice
The Safe and Successful Youth Initiative (SSYI
was a secondary violence prevention program in
Massachusetts that targeted young men most likely to
commit or be a victim of gang or gun violence to reduce
their incarceration and victimization from violent crimes.
One study found that participants in the program
were less likely to be incarcerated, and this difference
was statistically signicant.
Non-Experimental
Participants will be evaluated by the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) along with an internal program
evaluation by Heartland’s research team.
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
100
NT085 Supporting Education and Employment Development (SEED), cont’d
Performance Report
This program is still in development and metrics will be reported in future reports. The following represent proposed
measures for Supporting Education and Employment Development (SEED) with the intended outcome of reducing racial
and ethnic disparities in the justice system and young adult contact with the criminal justice system:
• Individuals enrolled in orientation
• Employment sessions provided
• Individuals that retain employment after six (6) months
Mandatory Performance Indicators:
Per reporting guidelines, projects in expenditure categories 1.11 must include the following metrics:
• Number of workers enrolled in sectoral job training programs
• Number of workers completing sectoral job training programs
• Number of people participating in summer youth employment programs
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
101
NT514_BD Programs and Services for Domestic Violence Victims and Survivors
Policy Pillar: Safe & Thriving Communities
Department: Justice Advisory Council
Project Identication Number: 64142
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $5,000,000
FY24 Funding Amount: $2,700,661
Project Term: 2023-2025
Project Expenditure Category: 1.11 Community Violence Interventions*^
Project Overview
The Cook County Justice Advisory Council will award funding to providers that serve survivors of domestic violence. The
services that have been prioritized and will be provided to domestic violence victims and survivors include counseling,
legal support, advocacy support and housing. This program is responding to the increase in domestic violence seen
in the years following the onset of the pandemic, which has put an additional strain on the limited supports in place,
particularly in communities facing more severe economic hardship caused by the pandemic and were already suffering
from historic disinvestment.
Use of Evidence
The goals are to increase the number of domestic violence victims and survivors receiving rapid housing services,
increase the number of domestic violence victims and survivors engaged with mental health services, and increase the
number of domestic violence victims and survivors receiving legal assistance.
Evidence-base Determination: Moderate evidence base
Name of Study Source Study Description Study Type
Safe and Stable Housing for
Intimate Partner Violence
Survivors, Maryland, 2019-2020
American Journal
of Public Health
House of Ruth Maryland provides on-site transitional
housing and community-based rapid rehousing for
survivor of intimate partner violence. This quasi-
experimental study was conducted to evaluate the
program. They found that the average housing
instability score decreased signicantly along with
economic dependence on partners. Finally, intimate
partner violence re- victimization reduced signicantly.
Non-Experimental
Common ground,
complementary approaches:
adapting the Housing First
model for domestic violence
survivors
Housing and
Society
The Washington State Coalition Against Domestic
Violence adapted the Housing First model to support
domestic violence survivors. The program found that
96% of families who were apart of this program retained
their housing after 18 months. They also reported
positive outcomes around increased safety, improved
health and well-being, and restored dignity.
Non-Experimental
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
102
NT514_BD Programs and Services for Domestic Violence Victims and Survivors,
cont’d.
Performance Report
Program-specic Metrics
Total # of new individuals served 171
Total # of existing/continuing individuals served 164
# of individuals receiving free legal assistance of relation to legal issues raised
by the incidence(s) of domestic violence
2
# of total individuals receiving housing support 5
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
103
NT764 Housing and Resources for Justice-Involved Individuals
Policy Pillar: Safe & Thriving Communities
Department: Justice Advisory Council
Project Identication Number: 66174
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $21,834,582
FY24 Funding Amount: $20,700,426
Project Term: 2023-2025
Project Expenditure Category: 2.17 Housing Support: Housing Vouchers and Relocation Assistance for
Disproportionately Impacted Communities*^
Project Overview
Cook County is committed to making services for returning residents available for individuals on a broad continuum
of need, with due regard to an individual’s particular needs, if any. In support of this goal, recognizing access to safe
and stable housing as a common unmet need for returning residents, the Justice Advisory Council will design a rental
assistance program operated by Housing Authority of Cook County to serve 300 returning residents for a period of 3
years; and provide individualized wraparound services for those returning residents in the rental assistance program.
Available services will include case management, legal support, housing access advocacy, employment supports,
healthcare services, and educational supports. This initiative is being designed to provide returning residents with the
resources and support needed to navigate the challenges associated with reentry and achieve their goals.
Use of Evidence
The goals are to have 500 individuals successfully referred to the program and receiving housing vouchers and to form
an advisory group to help oversee and provide input to the program.
Evidence-base Determination: Strong evidence base
Name of Study Source Study Description Study Type
Breaking the Homelessness-
Jail Cycle with Housing First:
Results from the Denver
Supportive Housing Social
Impact Bond Initiative
Urban Institute Denver’s Supportive Housing Social Impact Bond
Initiative (SIB) launched in 2016 to increase housing
stability and decrease jail stays among people who were
experiencing chronic homelessness and had frequent
interactions with the criminal justice system. This was a
randomized controlled trail with 363 in the treatment
group and 361 in the control group. Those in the SIB
program received 560 more days of housing assistance
than those in the control group. They also experienced
a 34% reduction in police interactions and a 40%
reduction in arrests. Three years after the start of the
program, participants had a 27% reduction in total jail
days.
Experimental
Housing First Reduces
Re-offending among Formerly
Homeless Adults with Mental
Disorders: Results of a
Randomized Controlled Trial
PLOS One This was a randomized controlled study of a housing rst
program in Vancouver. Participants were randomly
assigned to a scattered site housing rst program or a
congregate housing rst program. The study found that
the scattered site housing rst model was associated
with signicantly lower numbers of sentences than
treatment as usual.
Experimental
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
104
NT764 Housing and Resources for Justice-Involved Individuals, cont’d.
Performance Report
Treasury-required Metrics
# of affordable housing units preserved or developed 4
# of households/individuals served (by program if recipient establishes
multiple separate household assistance programs)
53
Program-specic Metrics
# of individuals participating in rental assistance program 23
# of individuals who successfully commence leases 10
# of exiting program within program timeframe, or before end of their lease 5
# of total individuals directly provided wraparound services 2
Average # of months individuals participate in program 6
$ of housing assistance disbursed $85,905
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
105
TR018 Public Defender Community Defense Center
Policy Pillar: Safe & Thriving Communities
Department: Public Defender
Project Identication Number: 62742
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $2,800,000
FY24 Funding Amount: $1,308,175
Project Term: 2023-2026
Project Expenditure Category: 1.11 Community Violence Interventions*^
Project Overview
The Law Ofce of the Cook County Public Defender will develop a Community Defense Center to provide robust
collaborative legal services and leverage local community partnerships to serve two Cook County communities that
have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19, incarceration, and gun violence. The Community Defense Center
seeks to partner with and support communities within the two identied neighborhoods with legal services, community
empowerment, advocacy and education. Funds will be used to renovate the spaces to ensure the Community Defense
Centers are equipped to achieve these goals. The Community Defense Center will work predominantly with African
American and Latinx communities in greater Roseland/South Chicago and greater West Gareld Park/Humboldt Park.
Pubic Facing Website
Community Defense Centers | Law Ofce of the Cook County Public Defender
Use of Evidence
This project scope is still in development as the project will launch in 2024. The project is currently engaging in a
community collaborative strategic planning process with planning partners in Roseland and inside the Cook County Jail.
The evidence basis will be established closer to program standup and be included in future reports.
Performance Report
This program is still in development and metrics will be reported in future reports. The following represent proposed
measures for the Public Defender Community Defense Center with the intended outcome of providing robust legal
services to local areas that have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19, incarceration, and gun violence:
• Clients served
• Client referrals
Mandatory Performance Indicators:
Per reporting guidelines, projects in expenditure categories 1.11 must include the following metrics:
• Number of workers enrolled in sectoral job training programs
• Number of workers completing sectoral job training programs
• Number of people participating in summer youth employment programs
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
106
NT086 Justice Reinvestment Plan
Policy Pillar: Safe & Thriving Communities
Department: Justice Advisory Council
Project Identication Number: 66464
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $2,000,000
FY24 Funding Amount: $700,000
Project Term: 2024-2026
Project Expenditure Category: 3.4 Public Sector Capacity: Effective Service Delivery
Project Overview
Cook County is committed to a comprehensive reimagining of our Public Safety and Criminal Justice budget requests
and evaluation system with the aim of improving long term public safety for residents of Cook County. The Justice
Advisory Council will engage consultants to review Cook County’s public safety and criminal justice budgets and develop
a report with (1) A descriptive overview of current spending with ags for duplicative efforts, overspending, or lack of
mission-alignment; (2) identied missions, arrived at through meetings and facilitations, of each of the various agencies
as relating to their budget requests; (3) identied areas of overspending and/or duplicative efforts, programming and
services; (4) recommendations on areas of the budget that could be reduced or shifted; (5) a landscape analysis of best
or emerging best practices in jurisdictions that have successfully reinvested criminal justice dollars into public health
resources, community resources, or other areas that address root causes of or long-term solutions to crime and lack of
safety; (6) a strategy for capturing existing and new savings in criminal justice budgets and re-investing those dollars in
community initiatives; and (7) a proposed structure and plan for implementing a new framework for how public safety
ofce budget requests and reallocations are tracked, reported, and evaluated so that funding of the criminal justice
system is transparent and spending decisions can be made on more solid foundations of information and data with an
orientation toward reinvestment. Throughout the process, JAC will collaborate with advocacy organizations, community
partners, and individuals with lived experience to coordinate efforts with the contracted agency in decision-making.
Performance Report
This program is still in development and metrics will be reported in future reports. The following represent proposed
measures the Justice Reinvestment Plan with the intended outcome of developing a long-term plan to further reduce
criminal justice spending and increase community investment:
• Criminal Justice stakeholders’ budgets analyzed
• Areas of reinvestment identied
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
107
NT078 County Municipalities Preparedness Planning
Policy Pillar: Safe & Thriving Communities
Department: Bureau of Administration, Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security
Project Identication Number: 61064
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $806,211
FY24 Funding Amount: $402,770
Project Term: 2023-2025
Project Expenditure Category: 3.4 Public Sector Capacity: Effective Service Delivery
Project Overview
Through the Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security, this funding will support a vendor to
develop planning templates and training resources for Emergency Operations (EOP), Continuity of Operations (COOP),
Continuity of Government (COG), and recovery plans for all Cook County departments and municipalities. The plans
will be housed in the Cook County Knowledge Management System and the vendor and EMRS will continually train and
assist municipalities with maintaining plans. This effort will strengthen preparedness and resiliency across Cook County
with a focus on communities with a higher Social Vulnerability Score to ensure those who are most disparately impacted
in the time of crisis are adequately prepared.
Performance Report
The following represent measures for Cook County Municipalities Preparedness Planning with the intended outcome of
strengthening the County’s preparedness and resiliency from the local to county level:
• Percentage of completion rates and progress for each template through weekly meetings and daily briengs
• Number of municipalities completed training
• Percentage of municipalities which attending training
• Number of hours provided of technical assistance
• Number of the 134 Cook County municipalities that received technical assistance
• Number of municipalities who leverage county templates for emergency plans
• Number of plans created by municipalities that did not have them
• Number of plans modied by municipalities that did have them
• Number of Cook County municipalities that will have created emergency plans based on initiative/program
SUSTAINABLE
COMMUNITIES
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
109
NT019 Neighborhood Revitalization Browneld Remediation
Policy Pillar: Sustainable Communities
Department: Bureau of Administration, Department of Environment and Sustainability
Project Identication Number: 60977
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $9,916,859
FY24 Funding Amount: $3,649,767
Project Term: 2022-2026
Project Expenditure Category: 2.23 Strong Healthy Communities: Demolition and Rehabilitation of Properties^
Project Overview
Browneld sites are underutilized or vacant sites that have real or perceived environmental issues that deter their
redevelopment. The Department of Environment and Sustainability will be expanding its current browneld program,
currently limited to a few communities, to serve, assess and conduct remediation of sites throughout suburban Cook
County to promote economic growth and investment through redevelopment. Marketing will be targeted to Qualied
Census Tracts, which is a census tract or equivalent geographic area where at least 50% of households have an income
below 60% of the Area Median Gross Income (AMGI) or have a poverty rate of 25% or more. Browneld sites can also be
remediated and returned to other productive uses such as open green space, parks, and ood and stormwater retention.
Performance Report
Program-specic Metrics
# of municipalities contacted 30
# of meetings conducted 15
# of sites in browneld site inventory 166
# of Phase I ESAs 2
# of Phase II ESA 5
# of sites assessed 7
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
110
NT005 South Suburban Hazardous Household Waste Facility
and Satellite Collection Locations
Policy Pillar: Sustainable Communities
Department: Bureau of Administration, Department of Environment and Sustainability
Project Identication Number: 64576
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $6,916,858
FY24 Funding Amount: $4,855,447
Project Term: 2023-2026
Project Expenditure Category: 2.22 Strong Healthy Communities: Neighborhood Features that Promote
Health and Safety^
Project Overview
The mission of the Recycling, Composting and Circular Economy Solutions (RCCES) Initiative is to build municipal
capacity to implement “reduction, reassembly, remanufacture, repair, reuse, repurpose, recycle, compost and circularity”
related initiatives within suburban Cook County. The RCCES initiative will help expand zero waste and circularity related
programs and opportunity within Cook County to help successfully reach 45% diversion rate by 2030. Two strategic
objectives of the RCCES initiative are: (1) the creation of the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM Center)
located in the south suburbs. This CHaRM Center will comprise a Household Hazardous Waste Facility and a Recycling
Drop-Off Facility; and (2) a municipal grant program to environmental justice communities to incorporate curbside
residential recycling programs for their residents.
The Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility will be a pinnacle location for Cook County residents to properly
dispose off HHW, which includes items typically present in homes including toxic cleaners, pharmaceuticals, and
gasoline/oil and pose serious health and safety concerns and can cause environmental damage. There are no facilities
conveniently located for residents of the south suburbs to dispose off HHW, negatively impacting a region already with
historically high pollution and open dumping issues. The facility will also serve as a consolidation location for satellite
collection events and will be operated through an agreement with Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, which will
fund ongoing disposal costs. The Recycling Drop-Off Facility is available to all Cook County residents. It is a location
that will allow for the safe disposal and recycling of a wide variety of waste materials. These materials include household
recyclable materials (paper, cardboard, glass, aluminum, and plastics), electronics, computers, televisions, clothing and
textiles, Polystyrene Foam, small furniture items, and personal healthcare equipment. The grant program will support
recycling and composting programs in municipalities that currently lack access to such services. In doing so, Cook
County invests in its neighborhoods which face access issues to proper disposal, with the ultimate goal of health and
safety for residents.
Performance Report
Metrics will be reported in future reports. This is a permanent free recycling drop-off station for Illinois residents. The
following represent proposed measures for South Suburban Hazardous Household Waste Facility and Satellite Collection
Locations with the intended outcome of collecting Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) items from residents for proper
management and disposal:
• Number of residents who utilized Hazardous Household Waste facility
• Gallons and pounds of Hazardous Household Waste diverted
• Pounds of Household Recyclable Materials, Styrofoam, Clothing & Textiles, Small Furniture,
Personal Healthcare Equipment, and Electronic Waste diverted
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
111
NT014 Healthy Homes and Deep Energy Retrot Residential Properties
Policy Pillar: Sustainable Communities
Department: Bureau of Administration, Department of Environment and Sustainability
Project Identication Number: 63077
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $29,772,507
FY24 Funding Amount: $13,221,412
Project Term: 2023-2026
Project Expenditure Category: 1.14 Other Public Health Services
Project Overview
Currently, children identied as having elevated blood lead levels are referred to the Cook County Department of
Public Health (CCDPH) and families who qualify for services can receive free lead remediation at the residence. Some
homes qualify for a Healthy Homes assessment in addition to the lead remediation services through a HUD funded
program. To expand upon the benets of existing programs, the Department of Environment and Sustainability has
partnered with CCDPH and Elevate Energy. Homes of participating families will undergo a comprehensive evaluation
that assesses household threats and toxins, indoor air quality, energy efciency, and water use. Families selected for
full program participation will receive grant-covered household enhancements including services such as toxin removal,
weatherization, deep energy retrots, benecial electrication, and water conservation measures to deliver the greatest
cost savings and health improvements. This program will also incorporate community engagement, outreach, and
educational programming. This investment into residences will ultimately result in stronger and healthier communities.
The program will be open initially to families who have already participated in the existing lead poisoning prevention
programs through CCDPH. Additional opportunities will be available to other families that fall below 120% AMI.
Performance Report
Program-specic Metrics
# of residences offered assessments 129
# of assessments completed 79
$ amount spent on retrots and upgrades $1,195,360
# of residences that proceed with upgrades and retrots 27
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
112
NT007 Businesses Reducing Impact on the Environment (BRITE) Fund
Policy Pillar: Sustainable Communities
Department: Bureau of Administration, Department of Environment and Sustainability
Project Identication Number: 64679
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $9,999,997
FY24 Funding Amount: $3,805,252
Project Term: 2022-2026
Project Expenditure Category: 2.30 Technical Assistance, Counseling, or Business Planning*^
Project Overview
The Department of Environment and Sustainability (DES) created the Businesses Reducing Impact on the Environment
(BRITE) Program to support assessments, recommendations, and a grant pool for commercial and industrial facilities
within Suburban Cook County including dry cleaners, auto repair and auto body shops, metal nishers, metal fabricators,
and food and beverage manufacturers. The BRITE Program offers nearly $7.7M in grants for toxics and pollution
reduction, renewable energy, energy and water efciency and waste reduction projects. As of May 2024, the Program
has conducted 31 assessments and received grant applications from 13 eligible businesses. Along with grants, the BRITE
Program focuses on program outreach to businesses in municipalities located within environmental justice, minority, and
under-resourced communities, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce release of toxins and other waste to the
environment, and conserve water, materials, and energy.
Public Facing Website
https://www.cookcountyil.gov/BRITE
Use of Evidence
The goals are to reduce GHG emissions, waste to landll, energy/water consumption, toxics reduction, and other environmental
pollutants from businesses located in low income, BIPOC, and/or environmental justice communities, to make investment in
businesses located in those communities.
Evidence-base Determination: Moderate evidence base
Name of Study Source Study Description Study Type
Barriers and motivators to the
adoption of energy-saving
measures for small- and
medium-sized enterprises
(SMEs): the case of the
Climate Smart Business Cluster
program
Journal of Cleaner
Production
This study argues that small and mid-size enterprises
encounter signicant barriers to successfully
implementing energy efciency or sustainability
measures because they do not have the organizational
resources to do so (compared to larger rms) – resulting
in fewer SMEs taking up such measures.
Non-Experimental
Helping small businesses
implement toxic use reduction
techniques: dry cleaners, auto
shops, and oor nishers
assisted in creating safer and
healthier workplaces
Journal of Cleaner
Production
This study examines 4 cases of toxin use reduction
and technical Non- assistance tailored to the needs
of small immigrant businesses, experimental yielding
tangible results including signicant reduction in both
worker and community exposure to toxics. Furthermore,
it demonstrates the use case of incorporating
occupational health and safety concerns into toxin use
reduction technical assistance, to enable and entice
small businesses to make fundamental changes, thereby
positively impacting workers and the surrounding
communities.
Non-Assistance
Experimental
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
113
NT007 Businesses Reducing Impact on the Environment (BRITE) Fund, cont’d.
Co-benets of mitigating
global greenhouse gas
emissions for future air quality
and human health
Nature Climate
Change
This study simulated the co-benets of global GHG
reductions on air quality and human health using a
global atmospheric model. They found that reducing
greenhouse gas emissions could prevent approximately
half a million premature deaths.
Non-Experimental
Performance Report
Treasury-required Metrics
# of small businesses served (by program if recipient establishes multiple
separate small businesses assistance programs)
11
Program-specic Metrics
# of sustainability process/education trainings conducted 7
# of assessments conducted 11
# of sustainability process/education training attendees 4
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
114
NT015 Climate Resiliency Plan Development
Policy Pillar: Sustainable Communities
Department: Bureau of Administration, Department of Environment and Sustainability
Project Identication Number: 65462
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $15,944,641
FY24 Funding Amount: $7,609,847
Project Term: 2023-2026
Project Expenditure Category: 6.1 Provision of Government Services
Project Overview
The Department of Environment and Sustainability (DES) used a competitive application and interview process to identify
ve communities (the Villages of Bellwood, Franklin Park, Justice, Lynwood and the City of Markham) that want to
develop Climate Resiliency Plans but need staff or funding to do so. DES has partnered with a team of consultants
(Geosyntec, ICF, and Metro Strategies) and these ve community partners to develop individualized plans relevant
to each community’s needs, putting communities at the center of planning and project prioritization. The rst phase
includes identifying communities for participation, hiring community-centered consultants, and then meeting with
residents, municipal staff, and other stakeholders to identify strengths, assets, threats, and concerns to help individuals
and businesses thrive in a changing climate. Upon completion of Climate Resiliency Plans for each community, Cook
County will move to the second phase—Implementation—and fund select projects, prioritized by community impact and
regional importance. This support will emphasize green infrastructure, tree planting, job training, and maintenance in
each community. This program will specically focus on communities with a history of disinvestment and industrialization,
have faced high environmental burden, and disproportionate impacts from climate change. This meets the denition of a
disadvantaged community using the White House’s Justice40’s interim denition.
Performance Report
Program-specic Metrics
# of community engagement sessions held 28
# of community-based organizations engaged in discussion/review of Climate
Resiliency Plans
42
# of applicants for participation in Climate Resiliency Planning 26
# of community members involved in planning & drafting process of Climate
Resiliency Plans
154
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
115
NT894 Riparian Restoration
Policy Pillar: Sustainable Communities
Department: Bureau of Administration, Department of Environment and Sustainability
Project Identication Number: 66950
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $3,000,000
FY24 Funding Amount: $1,706,869
Project Term: 2022-2026
Project Expenditure Category: 5.6 Clean Water: Stormwater
Project Overview
The Forest Preserve District of Cook County’s nearly 70,000 acres of public land provides signicant ecosystem services
to Cook County residents, including reducing ooding and improving air and water quality. The Riparian Restoration
Project, a grant to the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, facilitates the restoration of creek banks and drainages
and restore oodplains, reducing ooding and soil erosion and improving community resilience to impacts from climate
change. Flooding is a growing concern as climate change triggers more frequent storms and heavier, more intense
rainfalls. Many Cook County creeks have suffered from damaged banks, soil erosion, and intense ood stage damage.
Restoration contractors conduct the work including engineering, removal of invasive plants and brush, stabilizing banks
and surrounding soils, and replanting and reseeding the natural areas with native plants. This program advances equity
goals by employing three veteran-owned businesses.
This program advances the goals of the White House’s Justice40 Initiative because the project supports the forest
preserves in southern Cook County, including Park Forest, Chicago Heights, and Steger, which are disadvantaged
communities as dened by the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool.
Learn more at https://fpdcc.com/about/plans-projects/thorn-creek-watershed-restoration/ and https://fpdcc.com/about/
plans-projects/tinley-creek-watershed-restoration/.
Performance Report
Program-specic Metrics
# of acres where restoration is initiated 298
# of hydrologic restoration projects identied 19
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
116
TR004 Resilience Hubs
Policy Pillar: Sustainable Communities
Department: Bureau of Administration, Department of Environment and Sustainability
Project Identication Number: 67076
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $2,885,048
FY24 Funding Amount: $2,369,077
Project Term: 2023-2026
Project Expenditure Category: 2.22 Strong Healthy Communities: Neighborhood Features that Promote
Health and Safety^
Project Overview
The Department of Environment and Sustainability (DES) and the Department of Emergency Management and Regional
Security (DEMRS) are collaborating with community partners to develop Resilience Hubs in Cook County’s South
Suburbs.
Resilience Hubs are buildings that provide day-to-day services that address community chronic stressors and support
the community during and after disaster events, addressing both capacity-building and emergency functions. Resilience
Hubs work at the nexus of climate mitigation, adaptation, and equity to improve community sustainability and resilience
through a bottom-up approach centered on community co-development and building local power and leadership. Each
resilience hub is developed with a team comprised of community members, local business representatives, community-
based organizations, municipal and county staff, and decision-makers, to prioritize community voices in this initiative.
Performance Report
Treasury-required Metrics
# of households/individuals served (by program if recipient establishes
multiple separate household assistance programs)
4
Program-specic Metrics
# of community members participating in program project teams 33
# of community partnerships established (i.e., entities that provide a service,
steering committee participants, utility liaison)
7
# of local project community leads 3
# of Resilience Hubs identied 1
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
117
NT010 Residential Renewable Energy Subsidy
Policy Pillar: Sustainable Communities
Department: Bureau of Administration, Department of Environment and Sustainability
Project Identication Number: 66362
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $3,085,155
FY24 Funding Amount: $1,457,269
Project Term: 2023-2026
Project Expenditure Category: 6.1 Provision of Government Services
Project Overview
The Department of Environment and Sustainability will offer nancial support for residential solar installations through
the Cook County Sun and Save program, expanding affordability to residents for whom renewable energy may not be
attainable because they lack the up-front capital to pay for installations even though savings will pay back the investment
over time. This program reduces barriers to clean energy for residents, reducing their energy burden and their utility
bills over the lifetime of renewable energy installations, as well as helping to combat climate change. This program is
aimed at residents who are between 80- 120% of AMI and will help them reduce their energy burden. This meets the
White House’s Justice40’s Initiative’s interim denition of a disadvantaged community because it is aimed at low- income
residents and it aims to reduce their energy burden.
Public Facing Website
https://smartenergy.illinois.edu/sunandsave/customer/
Performance Report
This program has recently been stood up and metrics will be reported in future reports. The following represent
proposed measures for the Residential Renewable Energy Subsidy with the intended outcome of increasing equity and
accessibility to the benets of renewable energy for Cook County residents:
• Solar assessments performed
• Homes that received structural repairs in preparation for solar installations
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
118
NT893 Land Acquisition Plan
Policy Pillar: Sustainable Communities
Department: Bureau of Administration, Department of Environment and Sustainability
Project Identication Number: 62550
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $7,000,000
FY24 Funding Amount: $4,988,746
Project Term: 2023-2026
Project Expenditure Category: 5.6 Clean Water: Stormwater
Project Overview
The Forest Preserve District of Cook County completed its Southeast Cook County Land Acquisition Plan in 2019,
which outlines an integrated model of land conservation and enhanced quality of life with healthy active communities.
In alignment with this Plan, the Forest Preserves is acquiring up to 500 acres from willing sellers in this area, promoting
land conservation while reducing ooding and building greater resilience to storm events and impacts from climate
change. The preservation and restoration of public open space is a nature-based solution to reduce future ooding and
build community resilience. The preservation of public land will also provide outdoor recreation activities that promote
improved public health, aid in the generation of economic benets and boost community and social resilience. This
program advances the goals of the White House’s Justice40 Initiative because more than 40% of the communities this
initiative targets are disadvantaged communities as dened by the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool.
Learn more at https://fpdcc.com/about/plans-projects/land-acquisition-plan/.
Performance Report
Program-specic Metrics
# of land deals completed
# of acres acquired
CONNECTED
COMMUNITIES
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
120
NT025 Invest in Cook Expansion
Policy Pillar: Connected Communities
Department: Bureau of Administration, Department of Transportation and Highways
Project Identication Number: 63162
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $25,000,000
FY24 Funding Amount: $15,159,000
Project Term: 2024-2025
Project Expenditure Category: 6.1 Provision of Government Services
Project Overview
Invest in Cook (IIC) is an existing grant program that annually awards $8.5 million to communities to advance local
transportation infrastructure projects that implement the priorities of the County’s long-range transportation plan and
support economic outcomes. The expansion of this existing program will allow Department of Transportation and
Highways (DoTH) to support a wider range of infrastructure improvements typically not eligible for funding, including
support for project elements like underground utility improvements, watermain replacements, and drainage needs.
Funded project work will include planning and feasibility studies, engineering and construction, yielding an additional
$25 million investment overall.
DoTH worked with key partners to identify projects for the program, including the Cook County Bureau of Economic
Development’s Community Development Block Grant program (CDBG) and the Cook County Bureau of Environment
and Sustainability’s Browneld Redevelopment initiative, and prior years of the DoTH IIC program to select the projects
from previously unfunded/underfunded infrastructure program applications, and other known locations where funding is
critical to moving projects forward. A large portion of the total $25M will support 21 projects identied by the Chicago
Department of Transportation in partnership with DoTH, with a focus on state of good repair Citywide, pedestrian safety
improvements at priority locations, as well as engineering support for future bike trails on the South and West sides of
the City. 23 projects will be implemented by suburban communities across Cook County, and the County will implement
an additional nine projects with a focus on state of good repair needs, ADA compliant pedestrian improvements,
complete streets improvements, and economic development supportive local initiatives.
This program is another example of Cook County recognizing that the benets of improved infrastructure extend past
jurisdictional boundaries and necessitate the level of coordination that DoTH can provide.
Performance Report
The program has been recently stood up and metrics will be reported in future reports. The following represent
proposed measures for the Invest in Cook Expansion with the intended outcome of increased investment in priority
transportation infrastructure projects as well as new project investments in water and sewer infrastructure:
• # of projects completed in low to moderate income communities
• # of pedestrian and bike infrastructure projects submitted
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
121
NT011 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
Policy Pillar: Connected Communities
Department: Bureau of Administration, Department of Environment and Sustainability, Bureau of Asset Management
Project Identication Number: 62962
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $5,525,214
FY24 Funding Amount: $5,377,713
Project Term: 2023-2024
Project Expenditure Category: 6.1 Provision of Government Services
Project Overview
This initiative seeks to increase access to public electric vehicle charging stations throughout Cook County by focusing
on where there are currently large gaps in service areas (primarily in the south and west suburbs) and through installing
50 Level 2 charging stations, 10 DC fast chargers, and 10 Level 2 streetlight charging stations. The initiative will be
community driven, increase access for residents in multi-family homes, reduce the locations without a public electric
vehicle charging station dramatically and greatly increase the regional charging network. It will also reduce greenhouse
gas emissions and stimulate future regional infrastructure planning efforts. Outreach was completed through meetings,
focus groups, tabling, and presentations focused on the County’s disinvested communities. A mapping tool survey was
developed to collect all suggestions of where a good public charging station location would be. Over 550 responses
were received.
This program will install public electric vehicle charging stations in areas that are missing them, which is mostly Black
and Latino communities in Cook County, also noted as communities disproportionately impacted by air pollution. This
meets the White House’ Justice40 Initiative’s interim denition of disadvantaged communities because it is helping
communities that are facing disproportionate impacts of climate change and approaching distribution of stations in an
equitable manner.
Public Facing Website
https://www.cookcountyil.gov/EVcharging
Performance Report
Program-required Metrics
# of communities met with 51
# of potential EV charging station sites assessed, by category: Level 2 22
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
122
NT792 Lead Pipe Removal at Vera Yates Homes and Richard Flowers Home
Policy Pillar: Connected Communities
Department: Bureau of Economic Development
Project Identication Number: 62841
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $4,999,531
FY24 Funding Amount: $4,000,000
Project Term: 2023-2025
Project Expenditure Category: 5.12 Drinking water: Lead Remediation, including in Schools and Daycares
Project Overview
This initiative will remove and replace the remaining lead water pipes at two Housing Authority of Cook County (HACC)
affordable family housing properties: the Vera Yates Homes in Ford Heights and the Richard Flowers Homes in Robbins.
The grant will allow HACC to remove all lead pipes at each of these properties, mitigating lead exposure for children
and families living at these HACC properties. This initiative—coupled with other lead hazard abatement programs - will
prevent residents from suffering irreparable, life-long neurological damage associated with lead exposure, and provide
all residents of these developments a healthier, safer living environment. This program will help residents in Ford Heights
and Robbins which are classied as disadvantaged communities by the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool.
Performance Report
This program has recently been stood up and metrics will be reported in future reports. The following represent
proposed measures for Lead Pipe Removal at Vera Yates Homes and Richard Flowers Homes with the intended outcome
of removing all lead-containing water service lines from the properties, providing a safer, healthier living environment for
the 650+ low-income residents who call these developments home:
• Linear feet of water service line procured
• Units with access to clean drinking water Children with access to clean drinking water
• Residents with access to clean drinking water
• % of units with access to clean drinking water
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
123
NT795 Broadband Expansion at HACC Properties
Policy Pillar: Connected Communities
Department: Ofce of the President
Project Identication Number: 66861
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $1,832,253
FY24 Funding Amount: $837,363
Project Term: 2023-2026
Project Expenditure Category: 5.21 Broadband: Other projects
Project Overview
This initiative will upgrade broadband infrastructure at all Housing Authority of Cook County-owned (HACC) properties.
Current network infrastructure can only support 2-3 users at a time and is inadequate to meet the needs of both staff and
residents who use the communal computers. This upgrade responds to the increased need for Internet access among
HACC residents and staff due to COVID-19 restrictions and will additionally address the digital divide by providing
low-income residents access to high-speed internet. This program will help people living in HACC properties, which
is housing for low-income individuals. The White House’s Justice40’s interim denition of disadvantaged communities
includes low-income individuals.
Performance Report
This program has recently been stood up and metrics will be reported in future reports. The following represent
proposed measures for Broadband Expansion at HACC Properties with the intended outcome of improving network
speeds and stability at Housing Authority properties and increasing the use of the upgraded broadband network, and
internet more generally, by Housing Authority residents:
• Sites with broadband access
• Wi- installations in common areas
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
124
NT096 Chicago Southland Fiber Network (CFSN) Expansion
Policy Pillar: Connected Communities
Department: Bureau of Technology, Ofce of the President
Project Identication Number: 61161
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $10,000,000
FY24 Funding Amount: $8,627,274
Project Term: 2023-2025
Project Expenditure Category: 5.21 Broadband: Other projects
Project Overview
The Chicago Southland Fiber Network provides gigabit broadband to government, education, healthcare, and
businesses. Cook County will support the extension of the broadband infrastructure into south suburban communities
with the highest Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) scores in the State of Illinois. Cook County will also add public
Wi-Fi access in certain anchor institutions, education institutions and government institutions that serve vulnerable
communities. This program covers areas in the south suburbs, which are also disadvantaged communities, as dened by
the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool.
Performance Report
This program has recently been stood up and program-specic metrics will be reported in future reports. The following
represent proposed measures for Chicago Southland Fiber Network (CFSN) Expansion with the intended outcome of
enhancing broadband access to institutions and communities in Cook County:
• # of miles of ber optic cables added
• # of government institutions with broadband access as a result of this project which did not have access previously
• # of educational institutions with broadband access as a result of this project which did not have access previously
• # of public spaces with broadband access as a result of this project which did not have access previously
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
125
NT119 Digital Equity Planning
Policy Pillar: Connected Communities
Department: Ofce of the President
Project Identication Number: 66064
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $2,167,743
FY24 Funding Amount: $1,107,097
Project Term: 2023-2026
Project Expenditure Category: 3.4 Public Sector Capacity: Effective Service Delivery
Project Overview
To coordinate Cook County’s long-term digital equity work, the County has partnered with the Benton Institute to launch
a version of their Accelerate Illinois program, for the most underserved suburban Cook County municipalities. This
program aims to (1) better understand the unique digital equity needs of under-connected municipalities, (2) identify
gaps in existing digital infrastructure and accessibility, and (3) develop a set of goals and strategies to help bridge the
digital divide.
During the summer of 2023, Cook County launched digital equity outreach and engagement activities across the
County, focusing on communities with low Broadband Connectivity, as the American Communities Survey indicated. A
community surveying process was designed and implemented along with in-person and virtual community conversations
to highlight resident voices and ensure equitable representation across Cook County communities. The results of the
survey and comment cards collected from the community conversations helped to inform the recommendations made
in the Digital Equity Action Plan and the creation of the Digital Equity Map. Cook County is now taking the initial steps
toward implementing the proposed 12 IMPACT Recommendations.
Performance Report
The program has recently been stood up and metrics will be reported in future reports. The following represent
proposed measures for Digital Equity Planning with the intended outcome of developing Cook County’s rst-ever Digital
Equity Action Plan to address the digital divide and improve internet access for residents:
• Households provided with access to high-speed internet
• Projects identied in Digital Equity Action Plan
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
126
NT875 Stormwater Management Project Implementation
Policy Pillar: Connected Communities
Department: Bureau of Administration, Department of Transportation and Highways
Project Identication Number: 62350
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $20,000,000
FY24 Funding Amount: $12,333,468
Project Term: 2023-2026
Project Expenditure Category: 5.6 Clean Water: Stormwater
Project Overview
Coordinated by the Department of Transportation and Highways, the Stormwater Management Project Implementation
Program will advance 26 stormwater management projects throughout the County. To implement this program, Cook
County has partnered directly with municipalities and with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater
Chicago (MWRD) to support stormwater management in communities that experience signicant ooding, with a focus
on supporting under-resourced communities. DoTH worked with key partners, including the MWRD and the Cook
County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security (EMRS) to select the 26 projects from previously
unfunded/underfunded MWRD Stormwater Partnership Program applications, the Cook County Hazard Mitigation Plan
priorities and other known locations where funding is critical to moving projects forward.
This one-time infusion will allow MWRD and the County to expand funding for stormwater management project
implementation since local capacity constraints currently limit the existing MWRD program’s impact. By expanding
an existing MWRD initiative with ARPA funds, the County is demonstrating a commitment to thoughtfully address
multijurisdictional issues and will build climate resiliency within more Cook County communities through increased
identication and implementation of ood mitigation projects. Over the long- term, this project will help communities
build local capacity, allowing their staff to perform more of this work internally.
Projects included in the agreement will advance planning, preliminary engineering, design engineering and construction
phase projects. MWRD will be the lead agency for 16 of the projects, eight of the projects will be led by municipalities,
and the County will implement the remaining two projects.
Performance Report
This program has been recently stood up and metrics will be reported in future reports. The following represent
proposed measures for the Stormwater Management Project Implementation Program with the intended outcome of
building resiliency to climate events within more Cook County communities:
• Projects designed
• Completed stormwater management projects in underserved areas prone to ooding
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
127
NT099 Municipal Capacity for Capital Improvements
Policy Pillar: Connected Communities
Department: Bureau of Asset Management
Project Identication Number: 63464
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $30,500,000
FY24 Funding Amount: $27,023,836
Project Term: 2022-2026
Project Expenditure Category: 6.1 Provision of Government Services
Project Overview
Coordinated by the Bureau of Asset Management, Cook County will provide technical assistance to suburban Cook
County communities to use existing resources and attract additional, sustainable funding for critical capital improvement
projects. Cook County will provide priority and deeper assistance to municipalities disproportionately impacted by
COVID-19 or by disinvestment. Many under-resourced municipalities do not have the bandwidth to receive and mobilize
funds in an efcient manner. This program aims to ensure that the right systems are in place for local government to
bring community desired projects to fruition. This initiative will leverage existing expertise within the County to benet
municipalities that need assistance. It will also provide new capacity via County staff or other partners to understand the
universe of needed or desired projects, help municipalities prioritize projects, identify the most appropriate resource for
implementation, and provide support to capital improvement projects.
Performance Report
Program-specic Metrics
# of municipalities engaged as part of Municipality Engagement and Technical
Assistance Recommendations Memorandum Deliverable
12
# of municipalities with projects identied in capital inventory 70
# of potential projects identied by capital inventory 2,735
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
128
NT097 Lead Service Pipe Replacement - Pilot Program
Policy Pillar: Connected Communities
Department: Bureau of Economic Development
Project Identication Number: 64056
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $14,999,999
FY24 Funding Amount: $4,796,221
Project Term: 2023-2026
Project Expenditure Category: 5.12 Drinking water: Lead Remediation, including in Schools and Daycares
Project Overview
Coordinated by the Bureau of Economic Development, Cook County has partnered with Elevate Energy to conduct the
replacement of developmentally harmful lead service lines across Suburban Cook County. The pilot is two-pronged:
1) direct replacement of lead service lines and 2) technical assistance to municipalities in developing strategies for
lead service line replacement programs. This program will target high-risk facilities, including home-based daycare
providers and daycare centers. Communities with a need for education and technical assistance will be identied through
community engagement. This program advances the goals of the White House’s Justice40 Initiative because over 40% of
the communities this initiative targets are disadvantaged communities as dened by the Climate and Economic Justice
Screening Tool.
Public Facing Website
https://leadcareillinois.org/cookcounty/
https://www.cookcountytap.org/
Performance Report
Program-specic Metrics
# of application reviewed (high risk facilities) 57
# of applications accepted (high risk facilities) 54
# of lead service lines/galvanized lines replaced for households 8
# of lead service lines/galvanized lines replaced for community facilities 3
# of households provided with educational materials and interim clear water solutions 47
# of community facilities provided with educational materials and interim clean water
solutions
33
# of children in daycares served 350
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
129
NT012 Rain Ready Plan Implementation
Policy Pillar: Connected Communities
Department: Department of Environment and Sustainability
Project Identication Number: 65350
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $6,000,000
FY24 Funding Amount: $1,595,255
Project Term: 2022-2026
Project Expenditure Category: 5.6 Clean Water: Stormwater
Project Overview
In 2016, Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) created Rain Ready plans for the Calumet Corridor, which includes
Blue Island, Calumet City, Calumet Park, Dolton, Riverdale, and Robbins. These communities have a history of both
disinvestment and ooding. The plans were funded in part by Cook County Community Block Development Grant
funds. The Department of Environment and Sustainability has partnered with CNT to put these six communities on a
path towards greater resilience by implementing many of the recommended projects that aim to improve stormwater
management through green infrastructure and sustainable economic development. The program collaborates with
community-based resident steering committees, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, and
other partner organizations to prioritize efforts by community impact and regional importance. This program advances
the goals of the White House’s Justice40 Initiative because more than 40% of census tracts within the communities
targeted within this initiative are disadvantaged as dened by the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool.
Learn more about the program at https://rainready.org/calumet-corridor/.
Performance Report
Treasury-required Metrics
Median Household Income of service area $53,225
Lowest Quintile Income of the service area $39,861
Program-specic Metrics
# of community members participating in selected Rain Ready projects/municipality 219
# of organizations involved in implementing Rain Ready projects 14
OPEN
COMMUNITIES
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
131
Professional Services and Administrative Costs
Policy Pillar: Open Communities
Department: Bureau of Finance
Project Identication Number: 60001
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $29,433,063
FY24 Funding Amount: $3,277,505
Project Term: 2022-2026
Project Expenditure Category: 6.1 Provision of Government Services
Project Overview
The Cook County Board of Commissioners approved funding for professional services and administrative costs and will
cover a number of one-time contracts for professional services, such as workforce analysis, IT service contracts, and other
key operational needs.
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
132
One-Time Payments
Policy Pillar: Open Communities
Department: Bureau of Finance
Project Identication Number: 60002
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $24,933,484
FY24 Funding Amount: $0
Project Expenditure Category: 6.1 Provision of Government Services
Project Overview
To support employees for work done to mitigate COVID-19 since the public health emergency was declared in FY2020,
the Cook County Board of Commissioners approved certain one-time payments over a series of Board meetings for
certain Cook County employees using an apportionment of the monies received from the U.S. Department of the
Treasury’s Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund established pursuant to the American Rescue Plan Act. The
Board approved one-time payments of $3,000 to be paid in FY2021 and $1,000 to be paid in FY2022 per applicable
Employee, with limited exceptions as identied in the County’s Collective Bargaining Agreements. The Ofce of the
Chief Financial Ofcer, Department of Budget & Management Services, and the Ofce of the Comptroller reviewed costs
and identied those Employees deemed eligible for premium pay as set forth in the Interim Final Rule. Employees that
were deemed ineligible under the premium pay received these One-Time Payments funded by the County’s revenue loss
allocation. Many of these Employees worked remotely, which disqualied them under the Premium Pay category.
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
133
Personnel Costs
Policy Pillar: Open Communities
Department: Bureau of Finance
Project Identication Number: 60003
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $10,064,392
FY24 Funding Amount: $2,348,944
Project Expenditure Category: 6 .1 Provision of Government Services
Project Overview
The Cook County Board of Commissioners obligated funds to be spent on personnel needs. These funds will help the
County build capacity to meet increased demands and to support all ARPA initiatives.
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
134
Premium Pay
Policy Pillar: Open Communities
Department: Bureau of Finance
Project Identication Number: 60243
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $45,133,780
FY24 Funding Amount: $0
Project Expenditure Category: 4.1 Public Sector Employees
Project Overview
To support employees for work done to mitigate COVID-19 since the public health emergency was declared in FY2020,
the Cook County Board of Commissioners approved certain one-time payments over a series of Board meetings for
certain Cook County employees using an apportionment of the monies received from the U.S. Department of the
Treasury’s Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund established pursuant to the American Rescue Plan Act. The
Board approved one-time payments of $3,000 to be paid in FY2021 and $1,000 to be paid in FY2022 per applicable
Employee, with limited exceptions as identied in the County’s Collective Bargaining Agreements. The Ofce of the
Chief Financial Ofcer, Department of Budget & Management Services, and the Ofce of the Comptroller reviewed costs
and identied those Employees deemed eligible for premium pay as set forth in the Interim Final Rule. Employees that
were deemed eligible for premium pay received these payments funded by the County’s Premium Pay fund allocation,
while all other Employees received One-Time Payments funded by the County’s Revenue Loss fund allocation.
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
135
Forest Preserve Premium Pay
Policy Pillar: Open Communities
Department: Bureau of Finance
Project Identication Number: 67362
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $2,000,000
FY24 Funding Amount: $425,000
Project Expenditure Category: 6.1 Provision of Government Services
Project Overview
Grant supporting premium pay for Forest Preserves workers who performed essential work during the COVID-19 public
health emergency.
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
136
Cooperative Programs
Project Identication Number: 60004
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $491,666
FY24 Funding Amount: $0
Project Expenditure Category: 6.2-Non-federal Match for Other Federal Programs
Project Overview
Cook County utilized its revenue loss funding to cash match federal programming in coordination with the Army Corp of
Engineers for the Village of Dixmoor. As of this report, this is the only Non-Federal match project identied.
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
137
Cook County Infrastructure Grant Program
Project Identication Number: 67662
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $25,000,000
FY24 Funding Amount: $16,155,740
Project Expenditure Category: 6.1 Provision of Government Services
Project Overview
Cook County will utilize its revenue loss funding to support infrastructure projects around Cook County in coordination
with the Chicago Horticultural Society (Botanical Garden), Chicago Zoological Society (Brookeld Zoo), and Cook County
Forest Preserve.
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
138
Administrative Expenses
Policy Pillar: Open Communities
Department: Bureau of Finance
Project Identication Number: 60363
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $51,197,574
FY24 Funding Amount: $14,707,685
Project Expenditure Category: 7.1 Administrative Expenses
Project Overview
These administrative costs support contracting with subject matter experts to plan, execute, and track progress on
SLFRF-funded projects.
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
139
Public Sector Capacity: Effective Service Delivery
Policy Pillar: Open Communities
Department: Bureau of Finance
Project Identication Number: 67864
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $5,885,934
FY24 Funding Amount: $441,007
Project Expenditure Category: 6.1 Provision of Government Services
Project Overview
Public Sector Capacity: Effective Service Delivery project will support public sector capacity-building projects within Cook
County, including operational assessments, administrative tools, and studies.
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2024
140
Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County
Policy Pillar: Open Communities
Department: Bureau of Finance
Project Identication Number: 67962
Proposed Total Funding Amount: $398,684
FY24 Funding Amount: $398,684
Project Expenditure Category: 6.1 Provision of Government Services
Project Overview
Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County program will provide programming to support the Cook County
Veterans Assistance Commission, which provides assistance to eligible veterans and their families residing in Cook
County in need of nancial assistance for basic living expenses and/or emergencies.
Cook County Recovery Plan Performance Report 2023
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Tara Stamps, District 1
Vacant, District 2
Bill Lowry, District 3
Stanley Moore, District 4
Monica Gordon, District 5
Donna Miller, District 6
Alma Anaya, District 7
Anthony Quezada, District 8
Maggie Trevor, District 9
Bridget Gainer, District 10
John P. Daley, District 11
Bridget Degnen, District 12
Josina Morita, District 13
Scott R. Britton, District 14
Kevin B. Morrison, District 15
Frank J Aguilar, District 16
Sean M. Morrison, District 17
Toni Preckwinkle
Cook County Board President
Cook County of Illinois State & Local Fiscal Recovery Funds
Toni Preckwinkle
Cook County Board President
2024
RECOVERY PLAN REPORT
